PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo visited India from Feb. 24-28 to reaffirm the strong and enduring relationship between the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy.
Paparo met with a number of senior Indian government officials to discuss the importance of maritime security and interoperability between naval forces especially in the critical Indian Ocean Region, including:
- Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla
- Defense Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar
- Military Advisor to the National Security Council Secretariate LTG (ret) Anil Chauhan
- National Maritime Security Coordinator Vice Adm. (ret) G. Ashok Kumar
- Navy Chief of Staff Adm. R. Hari Kumar
Paparo participated in Indian-led multilateral exercise Milan 2022 in Visakhapatnam, where he spoke on the “Changing Character of Competition and Conflict at Sea” panel with Royal Australia Navy Chief of Navy Vice Adm. Michael Noonan, Bangladesh Navy Commander of Flotilla West Commodore Shaheen Rahman, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Chief of Staff Adm. Hiroshi Yamamura. The panel demonstrated the bright future for cooperation between the U.S. and India and like-minded navies interested in enhancing professional interaction and supporting large force operations at sea.
In addition to underscoring the importance of the Quad with Indian, Australian and Japanese partners, Paparo participated in bilateral discussions with:
- France Joint Forces Commander in the Indian Ocean (ALINDIEN), Rear Adm. Jacques Fayard
- Royal Navy Commander Surface Flotilla, Commodore Tim Neild
- Royal New Zealand Navy Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Gairn Golding
While in Visakhapatnam, he also visited with the crew of USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and Patrol Squadron (VP) 47 to thank them for their hard work while deployed and in supporting Milan 2022.
During the visit to New Delhi, Paparo participated in a wreath laying at the National War Memorial to honor the Indian Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen who served their nation; he conducted an inspection of the Guard of Honor; and he visited the Information Fusion Center – Indian Ocean Region for a command brief and tour.
The visit to India emphasized the U.S. commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific.