India and US have reiterated their commitment to enhance naval cooperation between the two countries. <br/><br/>During the talks with Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma, the visiting US chief of naval operations chief Admiral Gary Roughead discussed ways to safeguard the seas. <br/><br/>Both sides, among other things, shared their assessments of China’s transborder military capabilities and its increasing presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). <br/><br/>AIR correspondent reports, China has also forged extensive maritime links with IOR countries like Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar. <br/><br/>Sources said China’s ambitious aircraft carrier building programme was of particular interest since this is one arena in which it actually lags behind even India. <br/><br/>At present, while China may have as many as 62 submarines, with 10 of them being nuclear-powered and three armed with long-range ballistic missiles, and 75 major warships, it does not have an aircraft carrier.<br/><br/>The visiting US Navy Chief would also visit various naval establishments in Mumbai, Karwar and Kochi and Goa.<br/><br/>His visit comes in the wake of India-US naval exercise to be held in Goa from 23rd of this month till second of May. <br/><br/>Four capital warships and one submarine and a few aircraft from each side are scheduled to participate in the exercise.<br/><br/>He also met with Army chief General V K Singh and discussed several matters of bilateral strategic interest. <br/><br/>Admiral Roughead would leave India on Friday after completing his six day visit.<br/><br/><br/><br/>