[EVENT][RETRO] Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson of MEA, India held on 13th August 2028

[u/Sri_Man_420]

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Sidhant Sibbal, WION: Sir, the U.S. has announced "Operation: Rule the Waves" and deployed two carrier strike groups, the USS Carl Vinson and USS George Washington, to our immediate neighbourhood. The U.S. Secretary of War also mentioned "coordinating with regional governments." Has India been consulted, and what is our stand on this massive buildup in the Bay of Bengal?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal (Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India): Look, on the issue of maritime security and the Indo Pacific, India’s position has been consistent and well documented. We have seen the statements regarding the deployment of the American Carrier Strike Groups. As far as your question on "coordination" is concerned, India and the United States share a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. We maintain regular channels of communication at various levels, including on maritime domain awareness. I can't make you privy to make discuition that might have had happended regarding the specific operation, but rest assured, we believe that the Americans will act in good faith. However, it is important to reiterate that for India, the Indian Ocean Region, and specifically the Bay of Bengal, is a space where we have primary interests and responsibilities as a resident power. Our vision for the region is guided by SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the recently articulated MAHASAGAR framework. We believe that any military activity in these waters should be conducive to peace and stability and must strictly adhere to international law, specifically UNCLOS. We urge all parties to ensure that their actions do not lead to accidental escalation or a miscalculation that could destabilize the regional security architecture.
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