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US Calls India Critical Power After Pacific Command Rename
The United States has renamed its Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) back to Pacific Command (PACOM), with the Under Secretary of War for Policy, Elbridge A. Colby, calling India a 'critical power' in the…
The Story in Brief
The United States has renamed its Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) back to Pacific Command (PACOM), with the Under Secretary of War for Policy, Elbridge A. Colby, calling India a 'critical power' in the same breath. NDTV reports that the change reflects Washington's military focus on the Western Pacific and the first island chain. Colby's remarks came as the US sought to reassure New Delhi that the rebranding did not signal diminished importance for India in American defence strategy.
The Indian Opinion
The name change from INDOPACOM to PACOM is being spun by some as a downgrading of India in American strategic thinking. But the Pentagon official's immediate statement that India is a 'critical power' undercuts that narrative. Washington is plainly refocusing on the first island chain, not sidelining New Delhi. The real test will come when the Quad meets next: will joint military exercises expand or shrink? That number will settle the question.
Source: ndtv.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
