The US has invited India to deploy naval officers to the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in Bahrain. This followed discussions between Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during the 2+2 Dialogue on Friday.
Updated November 11, 2023 | 4:54 PM IST
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. (Photo: X/Rajnath Singh)
New Delhi: The US has invited India to deploy naval officers to the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in Bahrain. This followed discussions between Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during the 2+2 Dialogue on Friday.
While Bahrain’s decision to join the 38-nation CMF was agreed at the 2+2 meeting last year, the decision to place the Indian naval liaison officer in Bahrain was taken yesterday. This officer is likely to be a commander or captain, equivalent to a lieutenant colonel or colonel. This is something India and the US are working on and Indian naval officers will be of great help, a senior defense official said.
First, it would ensure that India is kept informed about what happens at the US Central Command, which extends into Pakistan. That would make it easier to “monitor” Islamabad. Second, it will help India improve its military and strategic ties with the Gulf states. India is already an associate partner of the CMF and is responsible for maritime security in the western Indian Ocean. Participation in the operational affairs of CMF is a major step for India. India has been considering sending personnel to Bahrain for quite some time.
The CMF is headed by a vice admiral in the United States Navy, whose vice admiral is usually a commodore in the Royal Navy. The 38 countries include Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and Yemen, NATO countries such as Canada, Germany, Greece, and Italy, as well as Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Pakistan has been part of the CMF for a long time. The task force aims to provide security in the area, as well as combat piracy and provide training. It focuses on a vast area of approximately 3.2 million square miles.