India and the United States are in talks to help each other track submarines in the Indian Ocean, the latest indication of tightening defence ties between New Delhi and Washington as they seek to counter Beijing’s growing maritime influence.

Both the US and India are increasingly concerned at the reach and ambition of the Chinese navy, which is taking an increasingly assertive stance in the South China Sea and challenging India’s dominance in the Indian Ocean.

The two sides also said their navies will hold talks on anti-submarine warfare (ASW), an area of sensitive military technology and closely held tactics that only allies share.

… Mr Collin Koh, a submarine expert at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said increased US submarine and surveillance activity was being seen across the region.

“We will see the Indian Ocean grow in importance, too, particularly around traditional chokeholds, such as the approaches to the Malacca Straits and the Nicobar islands, so an improved US relationship with the major submarine player in the area, India, is very significant,” Mr Koh said.