WASHINGTON — It’s a common sight to see the military honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns saluting in the pouring rain. It’s slightly less so to see three generals doing the same, especially when one is the chief of staff of the Indian Army.
Gen. Dalbir Singh, in the midst of a goodwill visit to Washington, placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery Thursday. Accompanying him were U.S. Army Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, vice chief of staff, and Maj. Gen. Bradley A. Becker, commander of the Military District of Washington.
The tomb honors American service members who died without their remains being identified, and is also seen as a monument to all American military who died while in service to their country.
Singh did not speak to the media, but Becker said the focus of the visit was to build and reinforce a strong relationship between the U.S. and Indian armies.
“That partnership and that trust helps bridge the gap when there are political differences,” Becker told reporters, adding that every political partnership has its disagreements. “We build trust and confidence in each other, the more we do military-to-military training exercises, visits to each other’s countries, and again in this case paying tribute to our soldiers — all of our service members — here at the Tomb of the Unknowns.”
The U.S. and India have had a close relationship since India’s independence in 1947. However, that friendship has been tested in recent years, as the conflict in Afghanistan required the U.S. to more frequently deal with India’s rival, Pakistan.
Becker said reinforcing the relationship between the U.S. and India is “tremendously important,” especially given our focus on the Asia-Pacific area. “There’s many opportunities for us to partner with them in situations like humanitarian and disaster relief, and that’s what we’re looking forward to,” Becker said.
Singh’s trip also included a visit to U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command headquarters, as well as to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state. It concludes Thursday with a visit to Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall, Virginia.
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- Indian Army Gen. Dalbir Singh, Chief of Staff of the Indian Army, places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery April 7, 2016.
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- From left to right: Indian Army Gen. Dalbir Singh, Chief of Staff of the Indian Army; U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Bradley Becker, commander of the Military District of Washington; and U.S. Army Gen. Daniel Allyn, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army; salute during the Indian and United States national anthems April 7, 2016 at Arlington National Cemetery. Gen. Singh visited Arlington to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, during a goodwill visit to the Washington area.
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- A military honor guard stands, sabers drawn, at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery April 7, 2016.
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- A military honor guard stands at parade rest, waiting for Indian Army Gen. Dalbir Singh, Chief of Staff of the Indian Army, to arrive at Arlington National Cemetery April 7, 2016.
