India, US hold 29th Army-to-Army Staff Talks in Hawaii to deepen defence cooperation

India and the United States held the 29th edition of the Army-to-Army Staff Talks (AAST) in Hawaii, discussing ways to deepen bilateral defence cooperation while reaffirming their commitment to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.The talks were co-chaired by lieutenant general Rajiv Ghai, deputy chief of the army staff (Strategy), and lieutenant general Joel Vowell, deputy commanding general of US Army Pacific, according to the Indian Army.Sharing details of the meeting on X, the Indian Army said the discussions focused on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, enhancing interoperability, expanding professional exchanges, and deepening military collaboration in support of shared security interests."Both sides appreciated the growing scope of Army-to-Army engagements and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the India–US strategic partnership," the Indian Army stated.Last week, defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met with House Armed Services committee member Pat Harrigan, who led a bipartisan US congressional delegation, in Singapore. The discussions centred on regional security, expanding defence cooperation, and advancing shared strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific."The interaction reaffirmed the strength of the India–US defence partnership, with exchanges on regional security, expanding defence cooperation, and advancing shared strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific," the ministry of defence said in a post on X.Earlier on May 24, US secretary of state and national security Advisor Marco Rubio met with national security advisor Ajit Doval in New Delhi. The talks focused on defence, security and strategic technology-related cooperation, including the TRUST initiative."The two NSAs reiterated the high priority accorded to the bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues," the Ministry of External Affairs said.