Manohar Parrikar becomes first Indian defence minister to visit PACOM

Manohar Parrikar has visited the US Pacific Command headquarters in Hawaii, becoming the the first-ever Indian Defence Minister to visit the key facility in a sign of deepening of military ties between the two strategic partners. The US Pacific Command in a statement described Parrikar’s visit as a “milestone” event during which he held meetings with the PACOM Commander Admiral Harry B Harris. Harris and Parrikar discussed the growth of the strategic partnership between the two nations and how routine, regular and predictable engagements strengthen that partnership, PACOM spokesman US Army Major Dave Eastburn said. The two also emphasised the importance of expanded maritime security cooperation within the context of broader military-to-military ties, especially in the Indo-Asia- Pacific, he said.

Harris encouraged senior Indian military leadership to participate in next year’s Chief of Defence Conference. He underscored that the conference is important venue to build the relationships that will underpin security and stability throughout the region. Parrikar and Harris discussed the continuance of the maritime security cooperation, the potential for joint US India maritime patrols, and the value of foundational agreements such as a logistics support agreement and a communications and information security memorandum of agreement, Eastburn said.