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Indo-US exercises could lead to joint operation possibilities
The ongoing Indo-US air exercise, 'Cope India 06', at Kalaikunda in West Bengal could lead to future joint operation possibilities in a third country, US Charge d' Affairs Robert O Blake said tonight.
"Possibly. This would be a national decision. It has to be made by the Government of India. But the current exercise is all about cooperation and learning," he said when asked whether this could lead to joint operations in a third country.
On the protests against the exercise by the left parties, Blake said, "India is a democracy. Everyone has a right to protest."
US relations with India, he said, were improving and the joint exercise was a reflection of this. "This relationship will grow even more. This should not be confined to the energy and defence sectors, but has also been extended to global disaster managment and science and technology."
He said that US President George Bush might visit India in the first quarter of next year.
On Indo-US trade, he said that there was 50 per cent rise in it compared to last year. "Indo-US trade will touch $ 20 billion this year and double by 2008.
Air Officer, Commanding, Eastern Air Command, F H Major who was also present said that the Indo-US joint exercise was going on "wonderfully well. Most of the objectives of the exercise have been achieved"
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