Jaishankar meets chief of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, discusses maritime security, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), on Sunday.
• The discussions focused on advancing the India-U.S. security partnership and strengthening maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Admiral Paparo is on a five-day visit to India (October 3-8) to deepen military-to-military cooperation.
• The visit aims to further the Major Defence Partnership between India and the U.S.
• The meeting also highlighted cooperation through the Quad, emphasizing a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Detailed Insights:

• The meeting underscores the growing strategic alignment between India and the U.S. in addressing regional security challenges.
• USINDOPACOM is the largest and oldest unified combatant command of the U.S. Armed Forces, responsible for a vast area from the U.S. West Coast to India's western border.
• The Indo-Pacific region is crucial, encompassing half the world's population and nearly two-thirds of the global economy, making it a focal point for global powers.
• The Major Defence Partnership designation, granted to India in 2016, facilitates license-free access to a wide range of U.S. military and dual-use technologies.
• India and the U.S. have significantly increased defense trade, reaching over $20 billion since 2008, and conduct more military exercises together than with any other country.
• The Quad, comprising India, the U.S., Australia, and Japan, is an informal strategic forum committed to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
• Cooperation areas include maritime security, domain awareness, emerging technologies, and military interoperability.
• The U.S. views its defense partnership with India as essential for preparing both nations for emerging security challenges.

Key Concepts Involved:

• U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM): A unified combatant command of the U.S. Armed Forces responsible for the Indo-Pacific region, headquartered in Hawaii.
• Major Defence Partnership: A designation by the U.S. to India in 2016, enhancing defense trade and technology sharing.
• Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue): An informal strategic forum of Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S. focused on a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• Indo-Pacific: A geopolitical concept referring to the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions, vital for global trade and security.