India on Friday dismissed the possibility of joint maritime patrolling with other countries in the Asia Pacific region, days after a top American military commander hoped it will happen in the near future.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said India has always participated in joint military exercises but not joint patrolling.
“As of now, India has never participated in joint patrolling. But we do participate in joint exercise. So the question of joint patrolling at this stage does not arise,” he said addressing reporters at South Block.
He said this when asked to comment on the remarks made by Chief of US Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris here recently. The American commander had pitched for a quadrilateral security dialogue among India, Japan, Australia and the US even as he hoped joint patrolling in the Asia Pacific region will happen in the future.
“I don’t respond to what the US Admiral has said. Our viewpoint will come to you if we at all consider any such thing from our side. It may be his calibrated thinking,” Parrikar said adding the Government and the Defence Ministry will take all decisions in the interest of the country.