New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence announced that Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande will embark on a four-day official tour to the United States, starting from February 13. According to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence, the visit underscores the deepening military cooperation and strategic partnership between Bharat and the United States, aiming to further strengthen defence cooperation and foster stronger bonds between the armies of both nations.
The statement added that General Pande will engage in high-level discussions and interactions with General Randy George, the United States Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA), and other senior military leaders during his visit. Highlights of the tour include a US Army Honour Guard ceremony, a solemn laying of the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, and a comprehensive tour of the Pentagon. These engagements symbolise the respect and mutual commitment towards global peace and security shared between the two countries.
Key topics for discussion during the visit include “Transformation in the Indian Army,” “Global Threat Perception,” “Transformation to Army-2030/2040,” “Human Resource Challenges,” “Future Force Development and Modernization,” and “Co-Production and Co-Development Initiatives.” These discussions aim to facilitate the exchange of insights, ideas, and best practices between the Indian and US armies.
The itinerary also encompasses visits to strategic military institutions such as the ‘Army Geospatial Centre’ at Fort Belvoir and the ‘National Defence University’ at Fort McNair, along with interactions at Headquarters 1 Corps. General Pande will also engage with units specialising in military innovation and strategy, including the Stryker Unit, the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, the 1st Special Forces Group in Seattle, and the Defence Innovation Unit in San Francisco. A visit to the California National Guard is also scheduled.
The visit follows the recent Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference (IPACC), where General Randy George, US CSA, engaged in constructive dialogue with General Pande, addressing various aspects of military cooperation. The positive momentum established during IPACC sets a promising backdrop for General Pande’s visit to the United States, reinforcing the deepening cooperation and collaborative spirit between the military leadership of both countries.
The statement emphasises that this visit represents another significant milestone in the Indo-US defence relationship, aiming to enhance military collaboration, exchange strategic perspectives, and work towards future force development and modernization. The engagements between General Pande and senior leadership of the United States Army are expected to yield substantial outcomes, fostering an environment conducive to shared security interests and defence cooperation.
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