New Delhi: Army Chief General MM Naravane held talks with Commander of United States Special Operations Command General (USSOCOM), Richard D Clarke earlier on Thursday, focusing on key issues like defence and strategic affairs.
Gen Clarke who is here in India on a three-day visit is understood to have discussed fast changing situation in Afghanistan.
Gen Clarke had experience of leading combat soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq and is considered to be an expert on anti-terror operations.
Before meeting General Naravane, the US General laid a wreath at the National War Memorial.
“Laying this wreath reminds us of what our respective countries have given to protect our ways of life,’ General Clarke said soon after a brief and solemn ceremony at the War Memorial near the India Gate.
“We thank India’s service members who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice and we appreciate the work of all those who protect India today,” Gen Clarke said.
In his meeting with Gen Naravane, Gen Clarke reportedly discussed strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region and commitment of both the nations to maintain a trouble free regime in the area.
A spokesperson of the Army said the on-going senior level military contacts between the two nations will further enhance defence cooperation and military ties.
Last year on October 27, 2020, India and the United States had inked a significant agreement to further strengthen military and strategic ties under Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA).
This BECA agreement was preceded by two key pacts, the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) and the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA).
All three pacts signed between the two nations provides sharing data on high-end military technology, logistics and geospatial maps. (UNI)
