US President Joe Biden has nominated General Charles Q. Brown, a former Indo-Pacific leader and advocate of close defence ties with India, to be the nation's top military officer.
Biden is set to formally announce the nomination of Air Force head Brown as the next Joint Chiefs of Staff on Thursday, according to media reports quoting senior officials.
Brown, who has served as the commander of the Air Force component of the Indo-Pacific Command, will be the second African-American to be the nation's top military officer if confirmed by the Senate.
For the first time, the Pentagon would be led by African-Americans, with Lloyd Austin as Defence Secretary and Brown as the highest-ranking officer.
Brown will succeed General Mark Milley, who is retiring after a four-year term as the officer overseeing all the military branches.
He will be taking over at a time when the world is roiled by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and by growing tension with China that is raising the threat level with Taiwan.
The fighter pilot with 3,000 flying hours and 150 combat hours will bring expertise on China and the Indo-Pacific, an area of prime importance to the US in the current geopolitical scenario, because of his stint in the region.
Brown has repeatedly spoken of the importance of defence relations with India for the US.
He participated in the Cope India 19 joint India-US exercise in 2018 in Kalaikunda and Panagarh and flew an Indian Air Force Mirage 2000.
At that time, he said: "As a committed partner enhancing peace, prosperity and security across the region, we are grateful for India's support and the growing trust between our two nations.
"The US-India partnership has never been stronger... Our shared values, security interests, economic ties and close links between our people present significant opportunities for cooperation bilaterally and with other close partners and allies in the region.
"We look to not only strengthen the base of the partnership, but to also take it to the next level in certain areasa longer-term investments in relationships, in training and in schooling."
In a meeting with reporters in New York, Brown said that the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) agreement between the US and India "opens the door to increase our information sharing particularly on some of the airplane, air aspects".
He said that India's use of Russian military hardware was a barrier to Indian and US Air Forces working together because interoperability is not only about equipment but involves operational strategies.
When Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhuri was appointed Indian Air Force chief, Brown congratulated him and had tweeted: "We discussed increasing our cooperation & further operationalizing India's unique status as a Major Defence Partner."
In his 39-year military career, Brown has been the director of the Secretary of the Executive Action Group of the Air Force and Chief of Staff and deputy commander of the Central Command which covers Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Middle East and Central Asia. He became chief of staff of the Air Force in 2020 after his Indo-Pacific stint.
His confirmation by the Senate -- a requirement for senior government posts -- could run into delays because Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville has used his senatorial privilege to block nominations of senior defence officials because of his opposition to the Pentagon's policies on providing abortion services to members of services and their families.
India stands with Iran in time of sorrow: PM Modi on demise of Ebrahim Raisi
Expressing shock at the demise of the Iraninan leader, PM Modi said his contribution to strengthening ties between the two nations will be always be remembered.
Drugs valued at Rs 105 crore seized in Assam; 3 arrested
The Assam Police have seized drugs valued at Rs 105 crore along the inter-state border with Mizoram in Cachar district, an official said on Sunday, adding three persons were also arrested in this connection.
Human trafficking suspect wanted by NIA arrested in Tripura
The Tripura Police on Sunday arrested a human trafficking suspect who was on the 'wanted list' of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), an official said.
PM Modi 'deeply concerned' at Iran President's helicopter incidentv
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed his "deep concern" at Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter going missing after making a "hard landing" and prayed for his well-being.
PM Modi says 'this is Bharat's moment'; urges youth to 'dream big'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outlining the importance of ‘thinking big and thinking ahead of time’, on Sunday said that this is Bharat’s moment and we must not lose it.
Indian stock markets will break all records on June 4: PM Modi
Once the Lok Sabha election results are declared on June 4, the Indian stock markets will break all previous records, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.
AAP on streets to save accused, says Swati Maliwal
AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal on Sunday while reflecting on the past 12 years since the horrific Nirbhaya case, said that 'they are now out on the streets to save the accused who made the CCTV footage disappear and formatted the phone'.
Captain Gopichand, five others set to fly to edge of space aboard Blue Origin mission
Captain Gopichand Thotakura, along with five others, is set to fly to the edge of space on Blue Origin's crewed flight mission on Sunday evening.