US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) Commander Adm. Samuel J. Paparo’s visit to India is among several recent high-level American military engagements with New Delhi in the early weeks of the year, reflecting continued activity in bilateral defence ties.
The outreach follows earlier visits by senior Pentagon official Daniel Driscoll and a bipartisan US Congressional delegation ahead of the February defence agreement. US Ambassador Sergio Gor, during his engagements, and now Paparo have both underscored the centrality of the Quad to regional stability.
The frequency of these visits is significant. In recent months, friction over trade negotiations had cast a shadow over strategic cooperation. There appeared to be limited movement on key issues where India relies on US partnership — including the supply of jet engines for HAL’s fighter programmes, clarity over the future direction of the Quad, and broader questions around Washington’s long-term commitment to the Indo-Pacific.
During the visit, Paparo met Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan and Chief of Naval Staff Adm. Dinesh Kumar Tripathi to review progress under the 2025 Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership. Discussions focused on enhancing interoperability across maritime, land, air, space and cyber domains.
Paparo also visited India’s Western Command in Chandimandir along with US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, where he was briefed on operational readiness along India’s western borders.
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In Bengaluru, he toured the Aeronautical Development Agency and National Flight Test Centre, receiving briefings on indigenous fighter aircraft programmes. He later addressed the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Summit, outlining priorities for deeper operational coordination and defence collaboration.
The visit coincided with engagements led by US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy William Kimmitt, who also held discussions with Indian officials.
Exercises such as Malabar, Cyber Flag, Tiger Triumph, Yudh Abhyas and Cope India were highlighted as key components of operational coordination, aimed at improving effectiveness in complex and high-end scenarios.
The visit builds on the 2025 Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership, signed in October last year, which sets the roadmap for cooperation over the next decade. India’s designation as a Major Defence Partner in 2016 laid the groundwork for expanded defence trade and technology sharing.
As a key Quad partner alongside the US, Japan and Australia, India has also been participating in logistics and field training initiatives aimed at strengthening regional readiness.
