Vice Chief Of Army Staff To Visit USA

Oct 16, 2020

A military statement said the visit will enhance the collaboration between the Indian and US armies at operational as well as strategic level.

New Delhi: A top Indian Army General is all set to visit the United States of America to lay the foundation for a strengthened relationship between the armies of the two countries. Lt Gen SK Saini, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, will be in the US from October 17 to 20 with an aim to enhance military cooperation between the two armies.

Crucially, the Indian Army Vice Chief will witness first-hand training and equipment capabilities of the US Army at the US Army Pacific Command.

“The Vice Chief of the Army Staff will visit the US Army Pacific Command (USARPRAC), the Army component of Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), and exchange ideas extensively with the military leadership (there) apart from witnessing training and equipment capabilities of the US Army,” an official release stated on Friday.

Talks will also focus on the procurement of equipment and training of personnel in niche domains.AdvertisingAdvertising

“The Vice Chief of the Army Staff, during his visit to the US, will also visit INDOPACOM where aspects of military cooperation and furthering military to military engagement including procurements, training in niche domains, joint exercises and capability building will be discussed,” the release stated.

The statement asserted that the visit will enhance the collaboration between the Indian and US armies at operational as well as strategic level.

“The visit will further enhance the operational and strategic level collaboration between Indian and US armies, which is emphasised by the fact that India is participating in joint exercises – Yudh Abhyas (February 2021) and Vajra Prahar (March 2021) with the US despite COVID-19 restrictions,” the statement said, highlighting that the military cooperation was going ahead despite the coronavirus pandemic related challenges.

The visit assumes significance in light of the fact that India and China are engaged in an unprecedented border standoff in eastern Ladakh and months of negotiations at military and diplomatic levels have failed to lead to a breakthrough and result in disengagement.

Courtesy: Opera News/The Hindu