Discussing Peace And Stability, India Holds 13th Indo-Pacific Army Chief Conference In New Delhi

The 13th edition of the Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC) commenced yesteday (on 25 September) in New Delhi.

The conference is scheduled to be held from 25 to 27 September, where Army Chiefs of various Indo-Pacific countries will participate, discussing ways to further enhance defence cooperation between respective armies.

The Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande interacted with the Chief of the Australian Army, Gen Simon Stuart, Japanese Self Defence Army Chief Gen Morishita Yasunori, US Army Chief Gen Randy George, Deputy Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Nguyen Doan Anh of Vietnam Peoples’ Army, and Kenyan Army's Commander Lt. Gen. Peter Mbogo Njiru, on the sidelines of the conference.

General Pande stated in a press conference after the meeting, "The Indo-Pacific construct has come to occupy central space in the contemporary geo-strategic landscape in recent years. Its significance reflects the evolving dynamics in the political, security, economic, and environmental domains of today's world."

The central theme of this conference is "Together for Peace: Sustaining Peace and Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region".

The conference will provide an opportunity for army chiefs and senior-level leaders from land forces, primarily of the Indo-Pacific region, to exchange ideas and views on security and contemporary issues.

The core effort of the forum will be to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through mutual understanding, dialogue and friendship amongst the littoral partners.

"We all know that the character of war is changing and we talk about how to strengthen our profession, the trust between the leaders...in our standards and discipline, as we do these things and we do them together, we deepen our unity and collective commitment," the US Army Chief Gen Randy George said at the conference.

The conference also saw the participation of Canadian Deputy Army Chief Major General Peter Scott.

This comes amid the diplomatic rift between the Indian and Canadian governments regarding the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau blamed agents of the Indian government for his death.

In retaliation, the Indian government stopped visa services for Canadian citizens, citing an increased threat level on the Indian High Commission from Khalistani terrorists.

The Canadian Deputy Army Chief stated "we're very grateful to be here as part of the Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPAC), 2023. Canada continues to look for opportunities where we can participate in training or exercises with partners in the end of the Pacific region. And this conference provides us a forum to meet with other leaders of other nations of similar interests.IPACC, initiated in 1999 as a biennial event, gathers army chiefs from countries in the Indo-Pacific region to discuss mutual interests."

In reference to the diplomatic spat he said, "I am fully aware of, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement. The government's stance and the government request for India to participate in, and cooperate in the investigation. But, really, that has no impact on us here at the Indo-Pacific conference. We're really here to build relationships from army to army, and we'll let our governments deal with that issue, themselves."

IPACC, initiated in 1999 as a biennial event, gathers army chiefs from countries in the Indo-Pacific region to discuss mutual interests.

Army chiefs from 15 nations and delegations from 35 countries are attending the event in Delhi.