US Commander of Pacific Fleet in India
Adm Samuel J Paparo, Cdr PACFLT, US Navy visited India from 25 – 28 Feb 22. During the visit, the Admiral interacted with Adm R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, in addition to other high ranking GoI officials. Among issues discussed during the interaction were avenues to strengthen the growing cooperation between the two navies, deal with challenges emerging on the maritime front, and enhance collaboration and interoperability to ensure maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Earlier, Adm Samuel J Paparo, Cdr PACFLT, US Navy, visited Headquarters, Eastern Naval Command (HQENC) at Visakhapatnam from 25 – 28 Feb 22 to participate in Indian Navy’s biennial multilateral naval exercise MILAN 22. The Admiral was also a Guest Speaker during the International Maritime Seminar of MILAN 22.India and USA have traditionally maintained close and friendly relations. The Defence relationship between the two countries has been one of mutual trust and confidence, which has transformed after the accord of major ‘Defence Partner Status’ to India in Jun 16.
The Indian Navy closely cooperates with the US Navy on numerous issues, which include operational interactions such as the MALABAR and RIMPAC series of exercises, training exchanges, exchange of White Shipping Information and Subject Matter Experts in various fields, all of which are coordinated through the medium of Executive Steering Group (ESG) meetings conducted annually. In addition, warships from both Navies regularly make port calls at each other’s ports. Both Navies have also been cooperating towards exploring new avenues for collaboration with a shared aim of a ‘Free, Open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
Cdr PACFLT’s visit was an important event in the continued and regular dialogue between India and the US to cement and strengthen their comprehensive global strategic partnership further. Previously, Adm John C Aquilino, Cdr USINDOPACOM and Adm Michael Gilday, CNO US Navy had visited India in Aug and Oct 21.
