US Indo-Pacific Command Chief Paparo Begins India Visit to Strengthen Defence Ties

Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, began a visit to India on Saturday aimed at advancing defence cooperation and strengthening military-to-military engagement between the two countries.

The US Embassy in India said Paparo would hold discussions with his Indian counterparts on a range of shared security priorities, including digital transformation, emerging technologies, regional strategic stability and defence energy resilience.

The talks are also expected to address the challenges arising from an increasingly competitive technology environment, as India and the United States look to expand cooperation in areas that are shaping future military capabilities.

“During his visit, Admiral Paparo will engage with Indian counterparts on shared security priorities, including harnessing digital transformation and emerging technologies, maintaining regional strategic stability, strengthening defence energy resilience, and navigating an increasingly competitive technology landscape,” the US mission said.

The embassy said the two countries were building a defence partnership designed to respond to emerging challenges, including developments in advanced technology and maritime security.

Paparo's visit, which runs from October 3 to 8, is his second trip to India this year. His February visit included meetings with senior Indian military leaders in New Delhi, as well as visits to key military and aerospace facilities.

During that visit, Paparo met then Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and then Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi to discuss regional maritime security and operational cooperation.

He also travelled to Chandimandir in Haryana, where he visited the Indian Army's Western Command headquarters along with then US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, and received operational briefings from Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar.

In Bengaluru, Paparo visited the National Flight Test Centre and HAL's Tejas facilities, highlighting the scope for greater cooperation in aerospace and defence technology.

The latest visit comes as India and the US continue to expand their defence relationship through military exercises, logistics and other foundational agreements, information-sharing, defence technology initiatives and efforts to improve interoperability.

The two countries also cooperate through the Quad, alongside Japan and Australia, while India continues to maintain its policy of strategic autonomy and engagement with multiple major powers.

Paparo's visit is therefore expected to provide another opportunity for the two sides to discuss maritime security, military preparedness and emerging technologies, while reinforcing the broader framework of their major defence partnership.