CHANDIGARH, February 16 (ANI): U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said Monday that he has arrived in Chandigarh and looks forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.
In a post on X, the U.S. envoy said, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
The visit comes against the backdrop of a growing U.S.-India defense partnership.
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), underscoring ongoing efforts to expand defense cooperation between the two countries.
“Delighted to have INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations,” Gor said in a post on X.
From February 3 to 4, India and the United States held the 24th Joint Technical Group Plenary at DRDO headquarters in New Delhi to advance cooperation in defense science and technology, according to a Ministry of Defence statement.
The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Chandrika Kaushik, Director General (Production Coordination & Services Interaction), DRDO, and Michael Francis Dodd, Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies in the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research & Engineering.
According to the statement, the plenary was conducted in line with the vision and policy guidance of the India-U.S. Major Defence Partnership framework, signed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in October 2025.
The delegations reviewed ongoing cooperation in defense science and technology, discussed associated challenges, and examined proposals to further strengthen collaboration in critical and emerging defense technologies to meet evolving requirements.
In November, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi concluded an official visit to the United States aimed at deepening the India-U.S. maritime partnership and advancing shared strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific.
During the visit, Admiral Tripathi held high-level meetings with senior U.S. civilian and military leaders, including U.S. Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan, Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby, INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Stephen P. Koehler, and U.S. Marine Forces Pacific Commander Lt. Gen. James F. Glynn. He also met Vice Admiral Yvette DeVids, Steve Parode, and Rear Admiral Raymond P. Owens.
The discussions focused on key pillars of India-U.S. defense cooperation. Both sides reviewed plans to strengthen maritime security and domain awareness, expand operational interoperability, enhance information sharing, protect sea lines of communication and undersea infrastructure, and coordinate responses to humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, search and rescue, counter-piracy, and other non-traditional security challenges.
In October, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where the two countries formalized a 10-year Defence Framework Agreement, marking a major step in advancing strategic and defense cooperation.
The agreement, signed in the presence of senior officials from both sides, establishes a long-term roadmap for military collaboration, capacity enhancement, and joint projects across the Indo-Pacific. Singh described the signing as the beginning of a “new chapter” in bilateral defense ties.
“We have held telephonic conversations thrice. I am delighted to be meeting you in person on the sidelines of ADMM-Plus. On this occasion, I believe a new chapter begins today with the signing of the Defence Framework. I am confident that under your leadership, India-U.S. relations will further strengthen,” Singh said.
Hegseth described the agreement as a defining moment in the evolving relationship between New Delhi and Washington.
“I want to express gratitude to Minister Singh for the partnership we have with India. It’s one of the most consequential U.S.-India relationships globally. Our strategic alignment is built on shared interests, mutual trust, and a commitment to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
“This 10-year U.S.-India Defence Framework is ambitious. It’s a significant step for our two militaries and a roadmap for deeper, more meaningful collaboration ahead. It underscores America’s long-term commitment to our shared security and strong partnership.”
After the meeting, Singh wrote on X, “This Defence Framework will provide policy direction to the entire spectrum of the India-U.S. defence relationship. It is a signal of our growing strategic convergence and will herald a new decade of partnership.”
The engagement took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), where Singh led the Indian delegation. (ANI)
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