Bengaluru, February 19, 2026: The Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, concluded a significant five-day visit to India from February 14 to 19, focused on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation and strengthening military coordination between the two nations.
The visit included engagements in New Delhi, Chandimandir, and Bengaluru, underlining India’s critical role in promoting security and stability across the Indo-Pacific region. The discussions highlighted expanding collaboration across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace domains.
In New Delhi, Adm. Paparo met with senior Indian defence officials, including Gen. Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff of India, and Adm. Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff. The talks centered on shared security interests, particularly efforts to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific and deepen operational interoperability between the armed forces of both countries.
An alumni event hosted by the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) brought together Indian graduates of its programs. The engagement served as a platform to strengthen professional networks and explore collaborative approaches to regional security challenges.
During his visit to Chandimandir, Adm. Paparo toured India’s Western Command alongside U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. Discussions there focused on operational security dynamics along India’s western and northern frontiers, reflecting shared concerns over evolving regional challenges.
The final leg of the visit in Bengaluru emphasized defence industrial cooperation and technological collaboration. Adm. Paparo visited the Aeronautical Development Agency and the National Flight Test Center, highlighting opportunities for expanded cooperation in aerospace innovation and defence research.
He also met with U.S. and Indian industry and technology leaders to advance collaboration in emerging domains, including artificial intelligence and advanced defence technologies. Alongside Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade William Kimmitt, Paparo participated in a U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum event focused on defence innovation, Quad cooperation, and the recently signed 10-year defence framework.
The United States designated India as a Major Defense Partner in 2016, building on earlier joint principles for defence cooperation. On October 31, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh signed the 2025 Framework for the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership during the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Kuala Lumpur. The agreement represents the most comprehensive update to bilateral defence ties to date and will guide strategic cooperation over the coming decade.
As a key member of the Quad grouping alongside the United States, Japan, and Australia, India continues to play a central role in strengthening maritime, economic, and technological security in the Indo-Pacific. Recent Quad field exercises have advanced the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network, further enhancing coordination and readiness.
Regular bilateral exercises such as Malabar, Cyber Flag, Tiger Triumph, Yudh Abhyas, and Cope India continue to improve operational effectiveness and joint readiness in complex, high-end scenarios.
The visit reflects the growing depth of U.S.-India defence ties and reaffirms both nations’ commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.
