India- US friendship stood out on an Indian Navy vessel berthed in Pusan. At 6.30pm today, U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert attended a 'Dinner Reception' on board the INS Sahyadri, a frigate with 6,200-ton displacement berthed at Pusan Navy Base. It is quite rare practice for foreign Ambassadors to attend dinner reception on board foreign Navy vessel berthed at Pusan. The Ambassador Lippert was the only diplomatic envoy in South Korea among around 100 attendees.

In spite of absence of the Indian AmbassdorVikramDoraiswamiowing to the other official work, who had been scheduled to attend, the US Ambassador Lippert made his presence and even accompanied the Jr. Commander of USFK-Navy, Rear Admiral Byrne and his son Sejoon and sister. His presence can be understood as US effort to restrain China from expanding in East China Seas and to build a security cooperation belt that US has established targeting at China.US hasactively embraced Japan, Australia, Vietnam, Maryam and recently India.

"Today, today"s event showsthat US, South Korea and India are getting closer and closer. US and India are getting closer, and US and South Korea relationships are the best ever. And South Korea and India are getting closer," said the US Ambassador at his remark.

During the reception, the Ambassador had friendly conversation with under the command of the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral SV Bhokare and enjoyed the evening.

India has kept distance from terrestrial disputes in the South China Seas. Recently, India has gradually started raising her voice against China"s position.

The command of the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, Rear AdmiralBhokarestressed the importance of "the freedoms of the seas", by using this words four times in his welcome address, which is also pursed by US against China"s move to expand in the East China Seas. Rear Admiral SV Bhokare also highlighted, "the importance of ensuring the freedom of the seas in our region," in his interview.

From June 10 to 17, the navies of India, Japan and the US conducted trilateral drills, called Malabar exercises, in the Western Pacific Ocean off the east coast of Okinawa where China navy passes on its way to Pacific Ocean. The INS Sahyadri and 2 INSs at Pusan did not participated Malabar exercise, but visited Japan and came to Pusan to enhance maritime cooperation between the Indian Navy and the ROK Navy.