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Immediate Release

A Message From Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Passing of Indian Chief of Defense Staff, General Bipin Rawat

I and the Department extend our deepest condolences to the Rawat family, the Indian military, and the people of India after the tragic passing of Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash.

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.