Chief of US Indo-Pacific Command Visits India to Explore Defence Collaboration
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Synopsis
Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, the US Indo-Pacific Command chief, visited India to enhance military relations and renew a vital defence agreement. His discussions with Indian leaders focused on strengthening the strategic partnership and addressing future collaboration in various sectors, particularly defence.
Key Takeaways
- Visit aimed at strengthening military ties.
- Discussion on renewing the Major Defence Partnership.
- Focus on the COMPACT initiative for broader collaboration.
- Engagement with Quad nations for enhanced security strategies.
- Highlighting the US-India defence relationship's global significance.
New Delhi, March 20 (NationPress) Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, the head of the US Indo-Pacific Command, recently made a trip to India aimed at bolstering military connections and deliberating on the renewal of a crucial defence framework between the two countries.
During his stay from March 16 to 19, Paparo held discussions with prominent Indian officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan.
The central theme of the visit was to enhance the US-India strategic partnership, with an emphasis on the future of defence collaboration.
This visit forms part of the broader COMPACT initiative between the US and India, which aims to promote cooperation in various domains including defence, trade, technology, and energy.
Introduced in February by the US President and the Indian Prime Minister, COMPACT intends to instigate significant transformations across multiple sectors, particularly focusing on military alliances.
A significant topic of dialogue was the renewal of the US-India Major Defence Partnership, a strategic bond established in 2016 when India was recognized as a Major Defence Partner.
This partnership grants India access to advanced US military technology, thereby bolstering cooperation between both nations.
The current agreement is set to conclude next year, with negotiations underway to extend it for an additional decade.
In conjunction with his meetings in India, Paparo also took part in the Raisina Dialogue, which is India's flagship event focused on global geopolitics.
On the margins of this event, defence and security representatives from the Quad nations – India, the US, Australia, and Japan – engaged in extensive dialogue to enhance cooperation and synchronize their defence strategies for the future.
Paparo’s visit highlights the increasing significance of the US-India defence relationship, which is regarded as a pillar of global peace.
The renewed framework is anticipated to fortify security ties and promote greater alignment between the two countries on both regional and global matters.
