Washington, DC [US], November 15 (ANI): Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi held a series of high-level meetings with Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, and other senior US Navy officials to review key pillars of India–US defense cooperation. Discussions focused on strengthening maritime security, enhancing interoperability, and expanding operational engagements across the Indo-Pacific, the Indian Navy said on Saturday.
In a post on X, the Navy stated that during his official visit to the United States, Admiral Tripathi met Admiral Paparo; Admiral Stephen T. Koehler, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet; and Lt. Gen. James F. Glynn, Commander of the US Marine Forces Pacific. The deliberations covered defense cooperation, maritime security, interoperability, and avenues for deeper operational collaboration across the Indo-Pacific.
The discussions also addressed priority areas of mutual maritime interest, including expanded information sharing and maritime domain awareness through mechanisms such as the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness initiative (IPMDA) and the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region. Other issues included safeguarding sea lines of communication and critical undersea infrastructure, coordinated responses for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions, counter-piracy operations, and non-traditional security challenges.
Officials also discussed conducting more complex and regular bilateral and multilateral exercises — including MALABAR, PASSEX, and engagements under the CMF and MILAN frameworks — to enhance joint warfighting, logistics, and sustainment. Collaboration in emerging domains such as unmanned systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), cyber operations, and space-enabled maritime capabilities was also highlighted as essential to improving readiness and resilience at sea.
The Navy noted that the interactions reaffirmed the strong partnership between the Indian Navy and the US Navy, as well as growing cooperation with the US Marine Corps and joint forces, anchored in mutual trust, shared values, and a commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
Admiral Tripathi began his official visit to the United States on Wednesday to further strengthen the longstanding maritime partnership between the two navies. He will be in the country from November 12 to 17 for meetings with senior US Department of Defense officials and top naval leadership.
According to an official release, the visit offers an opportunity to review ongoing maritime cooperation, bolster operational-level linkages, and enhance mechanisms for information sharing and maritime domain awareness. Admiral Tripathi is also scheduled to engage with key US naval institutions and operational commands, with discussions expected to focus on shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific, multilateral cooperation under frameworks such as MILAN, and initiatives of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
The visit coincides with Exercise Malabar 2025, a major multilateral naval drill held from November 10 to 18 in the West Pacific training area involving India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. The exercise aims to strengthen interoperability and coordination among the four partner nations.
India and the United States continue to share a robust maritime partnership rooted in shared democratic values. Admiral Tripathi’s visit underscores the Indian Navy’s commitment to deepening cooperation with the US Navy in support of a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. (ANI)
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