External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met U.S. Indo-Pacific Command chief Admiral Samuel J. Paparo in New Delhi on Sunday, October 4, 2026, to deepen India–U.S. security cooperation and expand maritime collaboration in the Indo-Pacific.
Meeting highlights
The two leaders focused on strengthening the bilateral security partnership, improving coordination at sea, and addressing shared security priorities in a region of growing strategic importance. Both sides underlined the need for robust maritime security as naval activity and geopolitical competition rise across the Indo-Pacific.
Jaishankar said on X: “Glad to meet Commander of the US Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo. Discussed advancing our security partnership and maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.” U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor was also present.
Paparo’s India visit
Admiral Paparo arrived in New Delhi on Saturday, October 3, for a six-day official visit (October 3–8, 2026) aimed at advancing the India–U.S. Major Defence Partnership and deepening military-to-military ties. During the trip, he is holding talks with Indian defence and armed forces officials on shared security priorities, including digital transformation, emerging critical technologies, regional strategic stability, and defence energy resilience.
The U.S. Embassy said the visit “underscores the strength of the Major Defence Partnership and reaffirms the United States’ enduring presence and interests in the Indian Ocean region.”
Why it matters
As head of USPACOM, Paparo commands U.S. forces across the Indo-Pacific, including the Indian Ocean and western Pacific, making this engagement crucial for India’s maritime security strategy. The talks reinforce ongoing efforts to boost interoperability, information-sharing, and joint action to ensure a “free, open and secure Indo-Pacific,” especially as China’s military presence and strategic competition intensify.
The meeting signals continued momentum in India–U.S. defence ties, with both countries working to build a future-ready partnership capable of handling emerging threats and complex regional challenges.
