New Delhi, Aug 25 (FN Agency) Admiral John C. Aquilino, the commander for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, on a three-day visit to India, on Wednesday met with Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat during which they discussed issues related to peace and security in the region in the backdrop of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. Admiral Aquilino also held meetings with the Tri-Service Chiefs and Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, said an official statement. Bilateral defence cooperation were part of the agenda of the meeting. Admiral Aquilino also called on General M.M.
Naravane COAS and discussed issues of mutual interest, the Indian Army said. He also met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The two sides held “Interesting discussion on developments in the Indo-Pacific,” said Jaishankar in a tweet. In the morning, Admiral Aquilino laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. “Our network of allies and partners are our greatest strength and a centre of gravity in the Indo-Pacific,” Aquilino said. “Our relationship with India is based on aligned values and presents an important model for building enduring partnerships. As we increase interoperability, information-sharing, and access with allies and partners across the globe, this partnership enhances our capabilities, improves .our coordination, and shows that we are stronger when we stand together,” the US Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement. He is also to meet Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria; Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy.