GOA, Sept 27: The biggest joint naval exercises between India and the United States went into high gear on Tuesday but the war games in the Arabian Sea steered clear of thorny issues such as simulated nuclear combat, officials said.

The 10-day event codenamed “Malabar” began when the 1,092-foot aircraft carrier USS Nimitz led two American Aegis-class destroyers into Indian waters on Sunday.

“One part of our war games was over when the two navies met at mid-sea when the exercises began and now we are engaging in comprehensive manoeuvres,” Indian Navy spokesman Captain A.K. Lambhate said in India’s western resort of Goa, a nerve centre for the exercises.

The nuclear-powered Nimitz, which carries 40 jets and 6,000 crew and is armed with RAM and Sparrow missile launchers, is the first US carrier to take part in joint exercises with nations outside the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

“This is a great mission as it enhances mutual confidence-building measures, streamlines procedures for the future and will help both countries across a wide canvas,” said Lambhate, as the ships practised anti-submarine warfare.

The joint exercise is the eighth in a series between the two navies.—AFP