Vice Chief of Army Staff to begin 4-day US visit today

Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen SK Saini will embark on a four-day visit to the US beginning Saturday to explore ways to further deepen military cooperation between the two countries.

The visit comes ahead of the third edition of the two-plustwo dialogue between India and the US which is slated to be held in India later this month. The Army said Lt Gen Saini will visit the US Army’s Pacific Command (USARPRAC) and exchange ideas with the military leadership there.

“The Vice Chief of the Army Staff will visit the US Army Pacific Command (USARPRAC), the Army component of Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) and exchange ideas extensively with the military leadership apart from witnessing training and equipment capabilities of the US Army,” the Army said in a statement.

It said the Vice Chief of the Army Staff will also visit the Indo-Pacific Command headquarters.

“The Vice Chief of the Army Staff will also visit INDOPACOM where aspects of military cooperation and furthering military to military engagement including procurements, training in niche domains, joint exercises and capability building will be discussed,” it said.

The Army said the visit will further enhance the operational and strategic level collaboration between the two armies.

Indian armed forces are participating in two joint exercises with the US in the coming months despite COVID-19 restrictions.