U.S. Keen on Military Ties with India in Re-Balanced Asia-Pacific

Turning to his India visit, he said "the conversation we had was about how we are going to help each other as we look ahead and we try to ensure that some of these issues don't get blown out much bigger than something needs to be."

"As is in many of the Asia-Pacific countries, the Army is the dominant service in those countries. India is a prime example. It is by far the largest service. It is by far the most influential," he said.

"It is important for us to build army-to-army relations as we continue to re-balance the Asia- Pacific region," said Odierno, who had a wide range of discussions with the top Indian military leadership, including his counterpart Gen Bikram Singh.

"One of things we have to remember is, we have to make sure they maintain their own strategic autonomy. And we do things in line with them to help build capacity, help learn from each other," he said.

"So I think that will be the basis of the continued relationship, is the sharing of information about what they face on a day-to-day basis up in the Kashmir area, with Pakistan, as well with China," he said in response to a question.

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