Bengaluru, February 19, 2026: Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, has concluded a pivotal five-day visit to India. From February 14 to 19, the visit aimed to bolster bilateral defence cooperation and enhance military coordination between the two countries.
Throughout the visit, which spanned major cities including New Delhi, Chandimandir, and Bengaluru, the importance of India’s role in fostering security and stability across the Indo-Pacific region was emphasized. Discussions focused on expanding collaboration across various domains—land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace.
In New Delhi, Admiral Paparo engaged with senior defence officials, including General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, and Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff. The dialogues emphasized shared security interests, particularly in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and aimed to enhance operational interoperability between the U.S. and Indian armed forces.
The visit also included an alumni event hosted by the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS), which gathered Indian graduates of its programs. This engagement served as a meaningful platform for strengthening professional networks and discussing collaborative approaches to address regional security challenges.
During his visit to Chandimandir, Admiral Paparo toured India’s Western Command alongside U.S. Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor. Discussions there centered on operational security dynamics along India’s western and northern frontiers, reflecting mutual concerns about evolving regional challenges.
The final stage of the visit in Bengaluru highlighted defence industrial and technological cooperation. Admiral Paparo visited the Aeronautical Development Agency and the National Flight Test Center, showcasing opportunities for expanded collaboration in aerospace innovation and defence research.
Additionally, he met with leaders from both U.S. and Indian industries to foster collaboration in emerging domains such as artificial intelligence and advanced defence technologies. Participating alongside Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade William Kimmitt, Admiral Paparo joined a U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum event that addressed issues like defence innovation, Quad cooperation, and the recently approved 10-year defence framework.
India was designated as a Major Defense Partner by the United States in 2016, a move that built upon previously established foundations for defence cooperation. Furthermore, 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. This agreement represents a comprehensive update to bilateral defence ties, guiding strategic cooperation for the decade to come.
As a pivotal member of the Quad alongside the United States, Japan, and Australia, India continues to play an essential role in enhancing maritime, economic, and technological security across the Indo-Pacific. Recent Quad field exercises have advanced the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network, supporting greater 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 diverse and complex scenarios.
Admiral Paparo’s visit underscores the increasingly deepening U.S.-India defence ties, reaffirming both nations’ commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and a rules-based order within the Indo-Pacific region.
