US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, along with Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), visited the Indian Army’s Western Command headquarters. The delegation met with Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, the Army Commander, to discuss strategic security along India’s western frontier.

During the visit, the delegation received a detailed briefing on the Western Command’s operations, including its legacy, the execution of Operation Sindoor, and the Indian Army’s broader contributions to national and regional stability. Ambassador Gor praised the growing India-US defence partnership, posting on X that joint efforts are crucial for a secure Indo-Pacific. Upon arriving in Chandigarh, he had expressed his eagerness to engage with the Western Command.

This visit follows recent high-level interactions, including Admiral Paparo’s arrival in India, where both sides highlighted the importance of expanding defence cooperation. The engagement reflects increasing US-India strategic alignment in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on challenges like maritime security and border stability.

Complementing this, the 24th Joint Technical Group Plenary took place at DRDO headquarters in New Delhi on 3-4 February, advancing collaboration in defence science and technology. Co-chaired by Chandrika Kaushik (DRDO) and Michael Francis Dodd (US), discussions covered joint research, technology transfer, and innovation in critical areas.

The Western Command visit and DRDO plenary demonstrate a comprehensive approach to the partnership, spanning operational, strategic, and technological domains. Admiral Paparo’s presence underscores Washington’s commitment, while Lieutenant General Katiyar’s leadership highlights India’s operational readiness along its western border.

Operation Sindoor exemplifies the command’s proactive posture, reinforcing deterrence and operational capability. Ambassador Gor’s emphasis on a “safe Indo-Pacific” underscores the partnership’s strategic context, particularly in countering regional challenges such as China’s assertive moves. Recent milestones include joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and co-production under frameworks like LEMOA and COMCASA, while the DRDO-US technical group focuses on emerging technologies like AI, quantum systems, and hypersonics—aligned with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat defence push.

The visit highlights the operational depth of the US-India defence partnership, offering insights into India’s western theatre and paving the way for future initiatives, from joint training to technology integration for border surveillance and missile defence. The Gor-Paparo visit exemplifies a mature partnership, blending strategic vision with operational engagement to enhance Indo-Pacific security.