Washington, April 25: India is emerging as a pivotal pillar in the U.S. strategy to counter China in the Indo-Pacific region. Senior U.S. military leadership has emphasized the growing defense ties and coordination with India.
Admiral Samuel John Paparo, head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, stated this week to lawmakers that strengthening relations with India is a top priority. He described this relationship as continuously evolving and one of the most active military partnerships.
His remarks come at a time when Washington is focusing on China’s increasing military power and is working to strengthen ties with regional partners to maintain balance in the Indo-Pacific. Paparo noted that under the “Major Defense Partnership” framework, U.S.-India security relations have seen significant growth through increasingly complex military exercises, defense agreements, and strategic dialogues.
He pointed to expanding cooperation in areas like maritime security and underwater activities, including India’s plans to purchase MQ-9B drones through foreign military sales. Paparo identified India as a stabilizing force in the region, highlighting its role as a source of stability within South Asia and its efforts to enhance strategic partnerships and defense cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
He also mentioned India’s growing regional role, including investments in Sri Lanka and agreements with Mauritius aimed at promoting maritime cooperation and ensuring that strategic infrastructure remains free from adversarial influences.
The Indo-Pacific Commander underscored India’s participation in multilateral groups like the Quad, which includes the U.S., Japan, and Australia. This group is expanding cooperation in maritime security and logistics. He stated, “Military exercises like Malabar, involving all four nations, have become crucial for fostering coordination and demonstrating joint military capabilities in the region.”
Paparo emphasized that the foundation of the U.S. strategy in the Indo-Pacific is its partnerships. He described these alliances as Washington’s greatest unbalanced advantage. He acknowledged that India faces ongoing tensions with Pakistan, and recent military confrontations have extended beyond traditionally disputed areas. Nevertheless, he noted that India’s primary focus remains on maintaining its deterrent and credible combat capabilities across the region.
However, the Indo-Pacific Commander warned that China’s actions and its deepening ties with Russia and North Korea pose complex challenges to regional stability.
In addition to the Indo-Pacific Commander, U.S. lawmakers have also stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships with India to counter Beijing’s influence. Representative Adam Smith stated that alliances are crucial for resilience and reliability in the region. He remarked, “We need to maintain those relationships. We need to assure them that we stand with them and they can trust us.”
Notably, the Indo-Pacific region has become the center of global strategic competition as China accelerates its military modernization and expands its presence throughout the area.
The U.S. has responded by strengthening ties with partners like India, Japan, and Australia, including efforts through the Quad. Additionally, joint military exercises and defense cooperation have been expanded.
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