Govt trashes report of US spl forces in India

New Delhi on Friday trashed a top American commander's revelation that US Special Forces teams were stationed in the country to hone the counter-terrorism skills of Indian soldiers.

New Delhi on Friday trashed a top American commander's revelation that US Special Forces teams were stationed in the country to hone the counter-terrorism skills of Indian soldiers.

US Pacific Command chief Admiral Robert Willard had told lawmakers at a Congressional hearing on Thursday that US Special forces teams were deployed in five South Asian countries, including India, to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation. He said the thrust of such collaboration was on the maritime domain.

"US Special Forces teams have never been stationed in India in the past, nor are such teams stationed in the country presently. The report is factually incorrect in so far as the reference to India is concerned," a defence ministry spokesperson said.

In response to a question on cooperation with India on counter-terrorism issues, Willard had told American lawmakers that US crack troops were stationed in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and India.

"We are working very closely with India with regard to their counter-terrorism capabilities and in particular on the maritime domain," he had said.