Jaishankar meets US Pacific commander Paparo to boost India-US maritime security cooperation
Jaishankar meets US Pacific commander Paparo. (Image courtesy: X/@DrSJaishankar)
New Delhi: India and the United States are looking to strengthen cooperation in maritime security and the wider Indo-Pacific as the eternal affairs minister, S Jaishankar, met the US Pacific Command commander, Admiral Samuel J Paparo, in New Delhi on Sunday. The meeting comes during Paparo’s six-day India visit and follows a series of military engagements that have highlighted the expanding defence partnership between the two countries.
Jaishankar said on X, that the discussions focused on taking forward the India-US security partnership and maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The US ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, was also present at the meeting.
“Glad to meet commander of the US Pacific command, Admiral Samuel J Paparo. Discussed advancing our security partnership and maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.
Admiral Paparo’s visit, which began on Saturday, is focused on shared security priorities and the future direction of bilateral defence cooperation. Discussions during his October 3-8 visit are expected to cover emerging technologies, digital transformation, regional strategic stability, defence energy resilience and the increasingly competitive technology environment.
The US embassy in India said in a statement that both nations are building a defence partnership capable of addressing future challenges, particularly in areas ranging from emerging technology to maritime security. It also said Admiral Paparo’s visit underlined Washington’s continued interest and presence in the Indian Ocean region.
RNA Media had earlier reported Admiral Paparo’s arrival in India and the agenda of his visit. His latest engagement with Jaishankar adds a diplomatic dimension to a series of recent India-US defence interactions, including military exercises and senior-level talks.
India and the US have also strengthened operational cooperation through Exercise Tarang Shakti, where the Indian Air Force trained alongside the US and other participating air forces.
The two militaries also recently concluded Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, with around 600 personnel from each side taking part in the bilateral drills. RNA Media had reported on the exercise and the cooperation between the Indian and US armies.
The latest meeting follows a September 28 interaction between the Indian Army chief, General Dhiraj Seth, and a senior US Army Pacific commander, Lieutenant General Joel B Vowell. The two commanders discussed the evolving Indo-Pacific security environment and ways to improve bilateral defence engagement, including interoperability through joint training.
Admiral Paparo is scheduled to remain in India until October 8. His visit comes as New Delhi and Washington continue to expand defence cooperation across maritime security, advanced technologies, military interoperability and regional strategic stability.
