Jaishankar meets US Indo-Pacific Commander Papara, discusses maritime security

Minister of Foreign Affairs S. Jaishankar with the Commander of the US Pacific Command Adm. By Samuel J. Papar. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor is also seen. Image: X/@DrSJaishankar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday (October 4, 2026) held talks with US Indo-Pacific Command Commander Admiral Samuel J. Papara on advancing the Indo-US security partnership and strengthening maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor was also present at the meeting.

“I am pleased to have met the Commander of the US Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo. We discussed advancing our security partnership and maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific,” Mr. Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Admiral Paparo is on a five-day visit to India from October 3 to 8, as Washington seeks to deepen military cooperation with New Delhi and push for the Major Defense Partnership between the two countries.

During his visit, Admiral Paparo is expected to hold talks with Indian military and government officials on a number of shared security priorities, including digital transformation, emerging technologies, regional strategic stability, defense energy resilience and the challenges of an increasingly competitive technology environment.

The visit assumes significance amid expanding India-US cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in maritime security, domain awareness, emerging technologies and military interoperability.

It also comes as India and the US, along with Australia and Japan, continue to strengthen cooperation through the Quad, with maritime security, a free and open Indo-Pacific, critical and emerging technologies and regional resilience as key areas on their agenda.

The US has described the broader defense partnership with India as one that aims to prepare both countries to address emerging security challenges, with cooperation ranging from new technologies to maritime security.

Admiral Papara’s visit also underscores Washington’s continued engagement with India and its strategic interests in the Indian Ocean region, where India has positioned itself as a first responder and key security partner.

US Pacific Command, which oversees US military operations in the Indo-Pacific, plays a central role in Washington’s engagement with regional partners on maritime security, strategic stability and emerging security issues.

Published – 04 Oct 2026 21:29 IST