Article Posted on : - Jul 26, 2011

WASHINGTON (PTI): Encouraged by the growing strength of Indo-US military-to-military ties, a top Pentagon official has said the "vital" relationship needs to be taken from strength to strength.

Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, told foreign journalists at a news conference Monday that the military ties between the two countries are "in a very good shape".

"The military-to-military relationship between India and the United States has grown stronger and stronger and actually is in very good shape. There's very active interaction between each of the services," he said.

"Certainly, before several years ago, before I had this job, I was the head of our Navy, and the interaction, for instance, at that time between our two navies was significant.

It continues to be. We continue to grow each year," Mullen said.

Responding to questions, Mullen said America's relationship with India is vital.

"It's a vital region. It's a vital relationship. It's a relationship that I think we need to make stronger and stronger. So I've been very pleased with how it has grown and look forward to that continuing to be the case," Mullen said.