US top brass visits Western Army Command headquarters in Chandigarh
US ambassador to India Sergio Gor and Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Samuel J Paparo Jr Monday, visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command in Chandigarh. They were briefed on the capabilities of the command.
However, the envoy’s visit to the military formation created a buzz on social media and invited criticism from the opposition, including Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT). Priyanka Chaturvedi of UBT linked the visit to larger geopolitical concerns, suggesting that “India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what the US wants India to do”. US envoys have earlier visited commands.
She also said, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own Government.”
She added, “US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.” Congress Kerala, in a post, remarked, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan’s ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this Government’s blessings.”
Incidentally, the Western Command played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor last year. It is a crucial Indian Army formation, overseeing operations along the border from Jammu and Kashmir to Punjab.
Gor announced his visit on his social media account. “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army”. No US ambassador in the recent past has visited this formation.
Sources in the security establishment said that the US delegation’s visit to the formation is part of the defence engagement between the two sides.
While some observers described the visit as part of regular, growing defense engagement, the opposition utilized the announcement to criticize the Government for allowing, in their view, “unprecedented access” to key military installations.
The US delegation, meanwhile, will also visit Bengaluru, where they will meet three start-ups, including two in the space category and one in defence, besides taking part in an Indo-US conference.
The sources explained that the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) commanders in the past have visited Naval Commands, but this time the request was for an Army Command.
