How Are India and US Armies Collaborating to Enhance Defence Medical and Strategic Cooperation?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Indian army is enhancing its medical cooperation with the US military.
- Senior officials are exchanging best practices in military medicine.
- The visit included in-depth discussions on marine and aviation medicine.
- 'Yudh Abhyas 2025' exercise showcased modern warfare techniques.
- Collaboration aims to improve healthcare for military personnel.
New Delhi, Sep 21 (NationPress) In addition to the recent joint military exercises held by the armed forces of India and the US, senior officers from the Indian army have traveled to the United States to examine the medical facilities of the US military. This initiative aims to strengthen defence medical cooperation and strategic collaboration between the two nations, as reported by officials from the Ministry of Defence on Sunday.
Via its official X account, the Ministry of Defence announced: "A delegation of #AFMS officers, led by @dgafms_mod Surg Vice Adm Arti Sarin, visited US Armed Forces Medical Facilities in Honolulu, Hawaii. During the visit, the team engaged in staff-level discussions, exchanged best practices in Military, Marine, and Aviation Medicine, and sought methods to enhance medical participation in bilateral exercises between India and the US. This visit significantly bolstered defence medical cooperation and strategic collaboration."
Special discussions regarding marine and aviation medicine took place during the US visit. Marine medicine focuses on the health of naval personnel stationed at sea, while aviation medicine is crucial for Air Force specialists, astronauts, and related missions.
As per the Ministry of Defence, the delegation of senior officers from the Indian Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), under the leadership of Director General and Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, is on a study tour of US Armed Forces medical facilities in Honolulu, Hawaii.
During their stay, the Indian delegation participated in military staff-level discussions with US defence medical authorities.
The talks aimed at sharing best practices in specialized fields such as military medicine, marine medicine, and aviation medicine.
Moreover, the delegation thoroughly discussed enhancing medical cooperation in joint military exercises between the two countries.
The Ministry of Defence stated that the delegation reviewed US military medical facilities, gaining insights into advanced medical infrastructure, emergency medical services, and troop medical management during deployments.
The Indian delegation also shared its own experiences and practices, thereby enhancing mutual understanding and trust in this vital area.
Senior army officials acknowledged that collaboration between India and the US in the defence medical sector is essential for the health security of military personnel and provides a new pathway for the strategic partnership.
The Ministry of Defence characterized the visit as a crucial step towards deepening and expanding defence medical cooperation.
Recently, a significant military exercise, 'Yudh Abhyas 2025', was successfully conducted between the armies of India and the US in Alaska, concluding on September 14.
This exercise involved practicing modern warfare techniques, including electronic warfare, surveillance, and the use of counter-drone systems, along with strategies to manage them.
As part of this program, both armies conducted training operations in challenging mountainous and snow-covered terrains.