Article Posted on : - Feb 16, 2024

Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande with Chief of Staff of the United States Army General Randy George during a meeting in Florida. A PTI Photo

WASHINGTON (PTI): Indian Army chief Gen Manoj Pande has held high-level professional discussions with his American counterpart Gen Randy George and other senior military officials on matters of bilateral importance and ways to enhance mutual commitment towards global peace and security.

Pande, who is on a four-day official visit to the US beginning February 13, is the first Indian Army chief to visit the country in several years.

"The discussions were aimed at aspects of bilateral importance and further enhancing mutual commitment towards global peace and security," according to an official post on X by the Additional Directorate General of Public Information of the Indian Army.

During his ongoing official visit, Gen Pande reviewed the US Army Honour Guard on arrival at Fort Myers and thereafter, in a solemn ceremony, paid respect by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery.

Thereafter he engaged in "high-level professional discussions" with the Chief of Staff of the United States Army Gen Randy George and other senior military leaders, the official post said.

Gen Pande visited the Army Geospatial Centre at Fort Belvoir and also interacted with the Vice President of the National Defense University at Fort McNair.

Gen Pande also met General Daniel Hokanson, the chief of the National Guard Bureau (NGB).

"I had the great pleasure to meet with Gen. Manoj Pande, India's Chief of Army Staff, in the Pentagon today. We discussed the organization, roles & missions of India's Territorial Army & the @USNationalGuard, & noted several areas for potential cooperation, including disaster response & cyber defence. I wished Gen. Pande a successful visit with the California National Guard for an introduction to their impressive cyber capabilities," General Hokanson posted on his X handle along with a photo of the duo.

He also visited the Indian Embassy in Washington DC and interacted with Sripriya Ranganathan, Charge d'Affaires and discussed important ongoing and prospective initiatives.