Stressing that India can use its latest warship – INS Jalashwa – in any role possible, the US Navy Secretary Donald Winter said the sales contract of the troop carrier does not specify any restrictions on its offensive deployment.“There are no unique terms or language associated with the transfer. The same applies to hundreds of ships we have transferred (in the past) and do not limit the use of the warship by a sovereign country in achieving its national objectives,” Winter, who is on a three day visit to India, told reporters in the Capital on Friday.While the Indian Navy has already dismissed a report by the national auditor that raised objections on the $50 million deal to acquire the ex-USS Trenton, the statement may come as a relief to the Government, which will reply to objections raised by the Left on the matter during the coming Parliament session.Winter, who held discussions with Navy Chief Sureesh Mehta and Defence Secretary Vijay Singh on the Friday morning, did not rule out further purchases of ex-US Navy ships by India. He said the two countries are exploring possibilities of collaborations in developing amphibious warships. “We are looking at the experiment of the Trenton with interest, and can do something similar like life extension of other ships. There have been some discussions in reference to our amphibious ships,” the top US official said.Winter also discussed the controversial Logistics Support Agreement (LSA) with Indian officials and emphasised on its importance, given the increasing military engagement between the countries. “We discussed the desirability of having the agreement. As we engage in more and larger exercises, this type of agreement would be beneficial for both countries,” he said. The agreement would enable Armed Forces of the two countries to provide berthing facilities, fuel and similar logistic support on a ‘cashless’ and reciprocal basis.
