The aim is to expand the links between the defence establishments after September 11. The plan includes intelligence-sharing and joint naval patrols in the Indian Ocean between the Straits of Malacca and the Straits of Hormuz.

Mr Fernandes said that the climate and terrain in Alaska would match conditions in the Siachen glacier of northern Kashmir, an area where the Indian and Pakistani armies have periodically clashed. Any suggestion that the United States is boosting India’s capabilities against Pakistan may cause friction between Washington and Islamabad.

“Post-September 11 there has been a sea change in our relationship with the United States and things have changed,” Mr Fernandes said. “There will be not just ships going together in these areas (Indian Ocean), but also there will be joint exercises.”

Asked to elaborate, he said: “After all, the Indian Army would also like to be trained in areas where the climate is like Siachen. There is nothing amazing about it, the two armies decided they should go for a training exercise.”

Joe Cirincione, of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington DC, said: “It definitely marks new levels of co-operation. However, I’m not sure the US has considered all the implications of joint training in this environment. It’s very likely that Pakistan will have a strong reaction.”

Mr Bhatia is a senior editor for the New York-based magazine India Abroad