Archive · 15 Aug 2026
US Calls India 'Critical Power' After Pacific Command Name Change
The United States has a big military that helps keep the world safe.
The US military had a large office called INDOPACOM that watched over the region around the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The US recently changed that office's name back to Pacific Command.
Some people wondered if this meant the US cared less about India.
A top US official named Elbridge Colby said no.
He said the US sees India as a very important country, like a powerful friend, and wants a stronger partnership.
He explained the new name just means the US military is focusing more on the western part of the Pacific Ocean.
He visited India in March and said US leaders keep visiting to show they still care.
The US also said it is not asking countries to pick sides, just to work together on keeping seas safe and sharing training.
Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge A. Colby said the US sees India as a 'critical power' and wants a stronger partnership with New Delhi.
Colby rejected suggestions that restoring the name Pacific Command signals diminished US attention to India or the Indian Ocean.
He said the command name change reflects US military focus on the Western Pacific and the first island chain, consistent with US national security and defence strategies.
Colby cited his March visit to India and visits by other senior US administration officials as evidence of continuing engagement.
The US said it is not asking countries to choose sides, but seeks cooperation on access, training, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, foreign military sales and maritime capabilities.
- Who
- Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge A. Colby, speaking for the United States, with reference to India.
- What
- The US said it regards India as a 'critical power' and rejected claims that renaming INDOPACOM to Pacific Command downgrades India and the Indian Ocean.
- When
- The date of the briefing is not stated; Colby spoke during a visit to the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia and cited his March visit to India.
- Where
- An on-the-record virtual briefing organized by the State Department's Asia Pacific Media Hub; Colby was visiting the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia.
- Why
- To clarify that the rename reflects Washington's military focus on the Western Pacific and the first island chain, not a downgrade of India's strategic importance.
Critics' reading
US administration's position
Meaning of the Pacific Command rename
Critics' reading
Some have suggested that restoring the name Pacific Command signals diminished US attention to India and the Indian Ocean.
US administration's position
US officials say the change reflects Washington's military focus on the Western Pacific and the first island chain and is "not in any way" a denigration of India or the Indian Ocean's importance.
- Senior official
- Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge A. Colby
- Command rename
- INDOPACOM renamed to Pacific Command (PACOM)
- Stated reason
- US military focus on the Western Pacific and the first island chain
- US view of India
- "Critical power" and a "vital relationship" with a natural partnership
- Engagement evidence
- Colby's March visit to India and visits by other senior US officials
- Countries visited by Colby
- Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia
- First island chain
- Arc from Japan through Taiwan and the Philippines towards parts of Southeast Asia
- US cooperation sought
- Access, training, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, foreign military sales, maritime capabilities