Article Posted on : - May 21, 2014

WASHINGTON (PTI): The Pentagon has expressed its willingness to work with the new Indian government on a military-to-military relationship for advancing their cooperation on common challenges.

"India is an important partner in a very critical region. It matters not just to people that live there, but to people that live here," Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters.

"We look forward to working with the new administration on a military-to-military relationship that we believe is mutually productive and helpful for all of us," Kirby said.

"We share common threats, common concerns, and common challenges there in that part of the world. And we look forward to advancing our cooperation," he said.

Kirby referred to the remarks made by the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Jonathan on India a day earlier.

"I think you might have heard Admiral Greenert talk about this recently. We have to look for more opportunities to operate together and I think you will see that across the board from the military," the Pentagon spokesperson said.

Admiral Greenert had said US Navy should engage in Malabar-level naval exercises with India to improve communications and inter-operability between the two forces.