Thursday, August 25 2005 11:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Port Blair: The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Arun Prakash yesterday (August 24, 2005) said that Coco Island, belonging to Myanmar, did not pose any threat to the security of India.

Asked about reports of Chinese military activities at Coco Island, 50 km from Diglipur in North Andamans, the Navy Chief replied in the negative.

"The Mayanmarese Defence Chief, during a recent visit to India, told us that no anti-India activity is being carried out at Coco Island. He even invited us to visit the island to verify the fact. And we have no reason to disbelieve the Mayanmarese authorities," the admiral told reporters at the INS Utkrosh.

He underlined that the friendly relations with both China and Mayanmar were on the upswing. The on-going border talks and economic ties had introduced new warmth to the Sino-Indian relations, he said.

To a question about the status of the Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorvachov sold to India, Adm Prakash said that it was being refitted and modernised in Russia at a cost of one billion dollars.

The carrier was likely to be handed over to the Indian Navy by 2007, he said.

In addition, the construction of an indigenous aircraft carrier was in progress at the Cochin shipyard, which was likely to be ready in five to six years time, he said.

The admiral brushed aside media reports about the Navy facing a funds crunch and described them as 'baseless.'

"We have enough funds. Our problem is how and when to spend it," he said.

He lauded the rescue and relief operations launched by the Andaman Nicobar Unified Command in coordination with the administration following the earthquake-triggered killer Tsunami on December 26 last year that had devastated the islands inflicting a massive loss of life and property.

The catastrophe had compelled the Navy to defer the 'Milan' joint naval exercises.

The 'Milan' was now likely to be held early next year in view of the vastly improved situation in the islands, the Navy Chief said.