Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Manoj Pande visited the Defence Innovation Unit (DIU) in San Francisco during his official visit to the US. The DIU is the forefront military innovation unit of the US Army and is dedicated to fielding and scaling commercial technology for the US military. General Pande interacted with Doug Beck, the Director of DIU and Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense, during his visit. The COAS also visited the California National Guard.
The visit to the DIU highlights the partnership and shared values between India and the US. It aims to enhance bilateral cooperation and development in defence and security domains. The Indian Army posted on social media about General Pande’s visit, stating that it epitomizes the shared values and interests between the two countries.
During his visit, General Manoj Pande received briefings on the Stryker Unit, Multi-Domain Task Force, and the Special Forces Group at the Headquarters of 1 Corps of the US Army. This provided an opportunity to explore possibilities for more significant training engagements. The Army Chief also engaged in discussions with General Randy George, the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, to strengthen bilateral relations and foster global peace and security efforts.
The visit commenced with General Pande reviewing the US Army Guard of Honour and participating in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. He also visited the Army Geospatial Centre at Fort Belvoir and interacted with the Vice President of the National Defense University at Fort McNair. Discussions were held with the Charge d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy in the United States, focusing on important ongoing and prospective initiatives.
This visit signifies another milestone in the defence relationship between India and the US, demonstrating their mutual desire to enhance military collaboration, exchange strategic perspectives on global threat perceptions, and work together towards future force development and modernisation.
