US-India Air Force Chiefs Discuss Indo-Pacific Cooperation

WASHINGTON, DC- The United States and India reaffirmed their strategic defense partnership during high-level talks between their air force chiefs, focusing on interoperability, training and regional deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, according to an official release.

US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach hosted Indian Air Force Chief Amar Preet Singh for an official counterpart visit on April 8.

Singh received a full honors arrival at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and later held meetings with Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and Wilsbach at the Pentagon.

During the discussions, senior US Air Force leaders said the defense partnership with India is central to ensuring a “free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.”

Wilsbach praised India’s leadership and participation in multilateral exercises with like-minded partners and said expanding such cooperation would be key to enhancing regional deterrence.

The talks also covered India’s procurement of MQ-9B Sky Guardian aircraft, with the US Air Force stating its commitment to ensuring the Indian Armed Forces can “seamlessly and effectively employ the platform upon delivery.”

The Pentagon meetings were followed by staff-level talks covering the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program, the Air National Guard’s Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center and full-spectrum MQ-9 operations.

Beyond Washington, Singh travelled to Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado, where he was briefed on the North American Aerospace Defense Command mission, including aerospace and maritime warning for North America.

He also visited Nellis Air Force Base, where he attended briefings at the US Air Force Warfare Center and undertook a familiarization flight in an F-15EX Eagle II. (IANS)