Honolulu, Nov 5 (NationPress) India and the United States on Wednesday reaffirmed their dedication to enhanced interoperability and mutual security as they wrapped up the two-day India–US Military Cooperation Group (MCG) meeting in Hawaii.

According to the Headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit co-chaired the 22nd iteration of the MCG meeting on November 3–4 with Lt. Gen. Joshua M Rudd, Deputy Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command.

“Discussions progressed on the recently signed Framework for India-US Major Defence Partnership, which aims to deepen collaboration in AI, cybersecurity, combat medicine, joint training, and operational logistics. Both parties reiterated their commitment to enhanced interoperability and mutual security,” stated the IDS HQ following the conclusion of their talks.

The senior military representatives from both nations held “productive discussions” on Tuesday, concentrating on strengthening bilateral defence efforts, enhancing interoperability, and fostering a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region.

The MCG serves as a crucial platform to progress defence collaboration between the Armed Forces of both countries through regular strategic and operational-level conversations.

Last year, Lt. Gen. Rudd led a delegation of senior US defence officials at the 21st edition of the India–US Military Cooperation Group (MCG) meeting, which took place from November 5-6 at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.

The discussions covered a wide array of subjects, including capacity building, training exchanges, defence industrial cooperation, and the advancement of joint exercises that enhance preparedness for both conventional and hybrid threats.

According to the Indian Defence Ministry, during the previous meeting, both nations highlighted the significance of the Indo-US defence partnership and committed to reinforcing this strategic relationship through proactive engagement and enhanced interoperability. They also reaffirmed their intention to broaden the scope of Indo-US military cooperation with a mutual understanding of the dynamic challenges confronting the Indo-Pacific region.

In September, the 21st edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas, the premier annual Army exercise between India and the United States, was conducted at Fort Wainwright, Alaska—one of the largest bilateral military exercises for the Indian Army in terms of troops mobilized.

The Indian Army contingent, consisting of 450 personnel led by a battalion of the Madras Regiment, trained alongside US soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, part of the 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Arctic Wolves), 11th Airborne Division.

Since its inception in 2002 as a platoon-level exercise, Yudh Abhyas has significantly expanded in both scope and participation. Previous editions have explored various terrains: high-altitude warfare in India’s Auli and Chaubattia; desert manoeuvres in Rajasthan; urban and cold environment training at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Alaska.

“India conducts more military exercises with the US than with any other nation. These exercises, including Yudh Abhyas, Malabar, COPE India, Vajra Prahar, Tiger Triumph, and several others, are essential for building interoperability and fostering mutual trust. They demonstrate how our two democracies continue to collaborate for peace, security, and prosperity, especially in the Indo-Pacific region,” stated the Embassy of India in Washington on September 4.