India, US Discuss Strengthening Defense and Strategic Cooperation
New Delhi — India and the United States discussed ways to strengthen defense and strategic cooperation Tuesday as Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, in New Delhi.
The two officials also exchanged views on regional and global developments, according to India’s Ministry of Defence.
“Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh met with Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the US Pacific Command, who is on a visit to India. During the meeting, both sides discussed strengthening India-US defence and strategic cooperation and exchanged views on regional and global issues,” the ministry said on X.
Paparo has held a series of meetings with senior Indian officials during his visit, highlighting the expanding defense relationship between the two countries.
On Monday, he met India’s Chief of Defence Staff General N. S. Raja Subramani, Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Air Marshal Tejinder Singh and other senior defense officials.
U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described Paparo as one of America’s most consequential military leaders and said his meetings underscored the growing importance of the U.S.-India Major Defence Partnership.
“Admiral Paparo joined India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General N. S. Raja Subramani; Chief of the Army Staff, General Dhiraj Seth; Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit; Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, Air Marshal Tejinder Singh; and other senior Indian defence officials for an evening highlighting the growing strength, ambition, and importance of the U.S.-India Major Defence Partnership,” Gor said on X.
Paparo also met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, with discussions focused on security ties and maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
“Glad to meet Commander of the US Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo. Discussed advancing our security partnership and maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific,” Jaishankar said on X.
Paparo arrived in New Delhi on October 3 for a six-day official visit aimed at strengthening defense ties between India and the United States.
His discussions with Indian officials have covered shared security priorities, including emerging technologies, digital transformation, regional strategic stability, defense energy resilience and competition in advanced technologies.
“From emerging technology to maritime security, the United States and India are building a defence partnership equipped to meet the challenges of the future,” the U.S. Embassy in India said. (Source: IANS)
