Archive · 6 Oct 2026
US Pacific Commander Returns to India as Defence Ties Deepen
Admiral Samuel Paparo, a senior U.S. military commander, is visiting India for the second time this year.
He is meeting leaders of India’s armed forces.
The visit follows military training exercises involving Indian and American troops.
U.S. F-35 planes are also flying in an exercise in India.
The article says this is notable because India also operates Russia’s S-400 air-defence system.
The U.S. command changed its name in June, but its area of responsibility stayed the same.
The article argues that India remains important to U.S. military engagement in the region.
Admiral Samuel Paparo is visiting India from October 3 to 8 for his second visit there in 2026.
He is scheduled to meet senior Indian military leaders, including Chief of Defence Staff General N. S. Raja Subramani.
The visit follows September’s Yudh Abhyas exercise, where 600 troops from each country trained together.
American F-35 aircraft are taking part in Tarang Shakti 2026 at Jodhpur alongside Indian and other foreign aircraft.
Although the command’s name changed from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command to U.S. Pacific Command in June, its area of responsibility did not change.
- Who
- Admiral Samuel Paparo and senior Indian military leaders.
- What
- Paparo is making his second visit to India in 2026 and meeting Indian military officials.
- When
- October 3 to 8, 2026; his previous visit was February 14 to 19, 2026.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- The visit is part of continuing India-U.S. defence engagement.
- Visit dates
- October 3–8, 2026
- Previous visit
- February 14–19, 2026
- Yudh Abhyas participation
- 600 Indian and 600 American troops trained together in September.
- Tarang Shakti 2026
- American F-35 Lightning IIs are flying from Jodhpur alongside Indian and other foreign aircraft.
- Command name change
- In June, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command was renamed U.S. Pacific Command; its area of responsibility did not change.
- Indian military officials named
- Chief of Defence Staff General N. S. Raja Subramani, Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth, and Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit.