New Delhi, Aug 25: Admiral John C. Aquilino, the commander for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, on a three-day visit to India, Today 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 defense cooperation was 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 an “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 center 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.

The trip marks his first visit to India as Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and underscores the importance of the U.S.-India relationship, the statement said.

Admiral Aquilino arrived in India after a visit to the Philippines, where he attended the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty, where he reiterated the commitment of the US to the Philippines and the Indo-Pacific region.

“Both of our nations have made it clear that we are committed to the Alliance, and that we remain prepared to fight alongside and defend each other using all of our capabilities to preserve the region’s peace and stability,” he said.

Earlier, this month, the top US admiral had voiced concern over China’s hegemonistic actions in the South China Sea.

“We certainly view with concern many of the actions that we’ve seen from Beijing,” Aquilino said at a talk.

“We view with concern [China’s] unlawful claim to the entire South China Sea — directly and negatively impacting all of the countries in the region, from their livelihood, whether it be with fishing or access to natural resources,” Aquilino said at the talk earlier this month. “Those are the things that lead me to believe that our execution of integrated deterrence has to occur now, and with a sense of urgency.”

“It’s critically important for all nations,” he said. “The unlawful claim to the entire South China Sea threatens all of that. When we talk about the South China Sea, understanding the importance is critical.”

His visit comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an Open Debate at the UN Security Council on Maritime Security on August 9, during which he called for evolving a global framework to conserve and utilize the shared maritime resources, and outlined five principles, including removing barriers to maritime trade.

Addressing the Open Debate on the topic ‘Enhancing Maritime Security – A Case for International Cooperation, with India holding the month-long presidency of the UN Security Council, Prime Minister Modi highlighted India’s vision of SAGAR – Security, And Growth for All in the Region. (UNI)