India hosts naval drills near Chinese base

NEW DELHI—India will host a 5-nation naval exercise close to Myanmar’s Coco Islands, where the Chinese Navy is reportedly building a naval base.
Media reports quoting naval officials said the 4-day exercises being commenced from Tuesday, will be participated by 26 Warships from the US, India, Japan, Australia and Singapore in the Bay of Bengal.
Despite strong protests by the Left parties against presence of US warships close to Indian coastal areas, nine of the 13 US warships will be in action during the exercises.
These warships will include nuclear-powered carrier USS Nimitz, conventional carrier USS Kitty Hawk and nuclear submarine USN Chicago. During the exercises aircraft carriers, missile frigates and destroyers will be in action.
Eight Indian warships led by the sole Indian aircraft carrier INS Viraat have reached the exercise point while a missile frigate from Singapore is close to the spot. Media reports quoting naval officials said two warships, one each from Australia and Japan are about to reach the spot. —Agencies