US Ambassador, Indo-Pacific Command chief visit Western Command, briefed on Op Sindoor and security dynamics
The Western Command is an important Indian Army formation against Pakistan
The US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, and the Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel Paparo, who is on an official visit to India, visited Headquarters Western Command, in Chandimandir, on Monday where they were briefed about the operational environment in the Western Sector, including Operation Sindoor.
“The delegation was comprehensively briefed on the Western Front perspective including operational preparedness, distinguished legacy, execution of Operation Sindoor and pivotal role being played by the Indian Army in nation building and strengthening regional stability,” the Western Command said.
The visit of the top-ranking US military officer to an operational Army command is part of the structured military-to-military exchange between the two countries, sources said. They held “substantive discussions on strategic security dynamics” with the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar.
The Indo-Pacific Command is the US' oldest and the largest geographic combatant command, with an area or responsibility encompassing 36 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including China but excluding Pakistan.
“Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army,” Gor posted on his X-handle on Monday afternoon. “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the US-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations,” Gor had said a day before.
Strengthening bilateral ties, furthering defence cooperation, discussing regional security and undertaking activities like joint training exercises are believed to be on the agenda along with familiarising the US delegation about the Western Command’s role and operational responsibility and interaction with senior officers.
The Western Command is an important Indian Army formation against Pakistan, responsible for operations along the western border from Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir in the north to Fazilka in Punjab in the South. It had also played a key role in Operation Sindoor, the five day intense India-Pakistan military engagement in May 2025 during which India had successfully carried out multiple precision strikes against several Pakistani terrorist and military sites.
In fact, during his official engagements in New Delhi, Admiral Paparo, four-star naval aviator with combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan praised India’s tactical execution of Operation Sindoor and said it offered important lessons and insights into Chinese origin weapons.
Though visits by foreign Ambassadors to military formations and field establishments are rare, these are common for senior military officers as well as attaches. A few years ago, the then High Commissioner of Canada had visited Chandimandir, including the command Hospital, where she had interacted with recuperating soldiers. Several top generals from western armies have visited Western Command or its establishments in the past.
Later in the evening, Gor posted on his X-handle, "A great visit with @INDOPACOM Admiral Paparo and @westerncomd_IA. Our joint efforts are key to a safe Indo-Pacific. The U.S.-India defense partnership continues to grow stronger."
