WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA), led a bipartisan congressional delegation to India and Thailand along with Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA) and Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R- FL). The delegation met with senior officials in both India and Thailand to discuss security issues in the Indo-Pacific, with the aim of bolstering cooperative ties and ensuring greater stability in the region.
Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Smith released the following statement:
“In light of evolving challenges in the region, this bipartisan congressional delegation to India and Thailand offered a chance to reinforce enduring partnerships that strengthen deterrence, expand cooperation, and deepen economic ties that advance our shared national security goals.
“In New Delhi, our meetings with External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Defense Secretary Rajesh Singh focused on sharpening defense cooperation and accelerating defense-technology collaboration to support India’s modernization and a more stable regional balance. We also welcomed substantive discussions with the American Chamber of Commerce in India and the Confederation of Indian Industry on opportunities for co-production and co-development that strengthen supply chains and deliver capabilities faster.
“In Thailand, we met with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Minister of Defense Gen. Natthaphon Narkphanit, Vice Foreign Minister Vijavat Isarabhakdi, and Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Ukris Boontanondha to discuss concrete avenues for future cooperation and to exchange candid views on key regional developments.
“We are proud of, and remain committed to, the bipartisan work underway in Congress to strengthen America’s national defense and to deepen the trust and cooperation that underpins these important partnerships.”
Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Smith released the following statement:
“In light of evolving challenges in the region, this bipartisan congressional delegation to India and Thailand offered a chance to reinforce enduring partnerships that strengthen deterrence, expand cooperation, and deepen economic ties that advance our shared national security goals.
“In New Delhi, our meetings with External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Defense Secretary Rajesh Singh focused on sharpening defense cooperation and accelerating defense-technology collaboration to support India’s modernization and a more stable regional balance. We also welcomed substantive discussions with the American Chamber of Commerce in India and the Confederation of Indian Industry on opportunities for co-production and co-development that strengthen supply chains and deliver capabilities faster.
“In Thailand, we met with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Minister of Defense Gen. Natthaphon Narkphanit, Vice Foreign Minister Vijavat Isarabhakdi, and Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Ukris Boontanondha to discuss concrete avenues for future cooperation and to exchange candid views on key regional developments.
“We are proud of, and remain committed to, the bipartisan work underway in Congress to strengthen America’s national defense and to deepen the trust and cooperation that underpins these important partnerships.”
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