The nuclear-powered USS Nimitz is anchored at a distance of about 2 miles off the southern Indian port of Chennai. The so called ‘good will’ visit of this super carrier comes after its trip to the Persian Gulf, where it took part in military exercises. New Delhi has called the visit a part of efforts to expand bilateral defence cooperation with the United States. But the country’s communist parties, who are one of the main partners of the ruling United Progressive alliance have criticised the move. They say the arrival of the ship indicates Washington’s growing military influence in the region.

A political expert from New Delhi, Praful Bidwai, said the arrival of the ship has a political message: ”The arrival of this ship has a political message. The ship was earlier deployed in Bahrain with the aim of possibly intimidating Iran. So welcoming it will be wrong. The second thing is our foreign policy. India in the past has opposed the transit of nuclear weapons. So how can we allow this ship in our waters? “

Environmentalists and the government of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu have also condemned the visit of the ship, saying, they fear, it could emit nuclear radiation hazardous to the people of nearby cities.

The US Embassy in Delhi has however played down fear of possible radiation, saying there are no nuclear weapons on the Nimitz. The Indian government has also said that the worries are ill founded and said that it has put stringent radiation and security measures in place and set up a crisis management group to monitor the ship.

The ship is carrying some 65 fighter jets and around 6000 sailors and airmen on board. Many of these crew members are expected to visit the mainland where they will celebrate American Independence Day on July the 4th and participate in community work like cleaning a local beach and painting the walls of an old-age people’s home. The Nimitz is scheduled to conclude her visit and head back to her mission in the Persian Gulf later this week.