Gen Rawat left ‘indelible mark’ on US-India defense ties: Def. Secy. Lyod Austin

New Delhi, Dec 8 (UNI) US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said CDS General Bipin Rawat had “left an indelible mark on the course of the U.S.-India defense partnership”, while Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark A. Milley said General Rawat “reinforced” the strong military-to-military relationship between the U.S. and India, in their tributes today.

Both issued messages of condolence on the death of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others in a chopper crash.
Offering condolences, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said: “General Rawat left an indelible mark on the course of the U.S.-India defense partnership and was at the center of the Indian Armed Forces’ transformation into a more jointly integrated warfighting organization.
“I had the privilege of meeting with him earlier this year and viewed him as a valued partner and friend of the United States.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rawat family and the families of the other victims of the crash. We are deeply saddened by this loss.”
Gen. Mark Milley in a message said that he and his wife Hollyanne spent time with Gen. Rawat and his wife, Dr Madhulika Rawat, during their visit to the U.S. in September.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of General Bipin Rawat, the Indian Chief of Defence Staff, his wife, and eleven others who died in a tragic helicopter crash.
“As India’s first chief of defence, he made lasting impact to the Indian military and reinforced our strong military-to-military relationship between the U.S. and India.
“Hollyanne and I spent time with Gen. Rawat and his wife, Dr Madhulika Rawat, during their visit to the U.S. in September. We feel this loss deeply, we are thankful to have met them, and we feel grateful for their life of service.”