Army Chief Bipin Rawat on maiden US visit from Monday

Starting Monday, the Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat will be on a five-day maiden visit to the US. He is expected to discuss ways of strengthening cooperation between the two countries to tackle Pakistan aided terrorist activities in the region.

“The Army Chief will begin his five days starting tomorrow ( Monday) where he will meet his American counterpart and hold important discussions on counter terrorism cooperation with the US,” Army officials said.

During the visit, General Bipin Rawat is expected to discuss the security situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as the direct support that terrorists receive from the Pakistani military and non-state actors.

Earlier in the month, American Special Forces Commander Gen. Raymond Thomas met with Army Chief Rawat in South Block and day down to discuss regional security and Pakistan’s continued support to terrorism.

“Both the Generals deliberated on the developing regional security environment, issue of global terrorism and Pakistan’s continued support to terrorism was also discussed,” the Army had stated after the meeting.

A few days ago, Indian and U.S. officials met in Washington, DC on March 29 for the sixteenth meeting of the U.S.-India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group and the second session of the U.S.-India Designations Dialogue.

State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Nathan A. Sales and Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary Mahaveer Singhvi led respective inter-Agency/inter-Departmental delegations to discuss counterterrorism cooperation between the two countries, resolving to continue close coordination on this important element of the bilateral relationship.