Forward together we go, or in Hindi, Chalein Saath Saath!! The U.S. Army Pacific and I Corps welcomed the Indian army to the 19th India-U.S. Land Forces Executive Steering Group at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, March 11-13.

Lt. Gen. P.R. Kumar, director of General Military Operations, Indian army, accompanied by fellow Indian army delegates teamed up with Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, I Corps commander, U.S. Army, and U.S. Army representatives to continue to maintain and strengthen the Indo-Asia-Pacific partnership.

"India and the U.S. have a lot of the same perspectives, which creates a strong and lasting bond," said Maj. Gen. S.K. Jha, an Indian army delegate.

Over the three-day visit, the Indian army and U.S. Army delegates underwent countless discussions about the two forces and their roles in Pacific Pathways, nine exercises with 12 Indo-Asia-Pacific countries over the next five years.

The two armies hit on topics concerning threat perception focusing on the underlying threat of war and unconventional threats, such as cyber security, illegal immigration, human trafficking and environmental degradation that threatened each nation.

"We have so many similarities in our threats, but a difference in our situation," said Lanza after listening to S.K. Jha give a brief overviewing the Indian army. "Our homeland has just recently became a part of the battle space, whereas India has had the [domestic] threat for years."

Throughout the discussions representatives from both armies repeated and often concluded that there is no future by trying to fight a war alone and that we must continue to build and foster our relationships, specifically the U.S. and India, in order to be victorious.

"Together, we compliment each other," said S.K. Jha. "We have shared values and mutual trusts, which will lead us to victory."

The partnership between the two forces has not only benefited on the battlefield, but there has been positive feedback from Soldiers as a result of the union.

"Efforts like these are not only great because we are building lasting relationships with foreign countries, but it gives potential Soldiers another added incentive to join the U.S. armed forces," said Spc. Samuel Barry, a satellite communications systems operator and maintainer, Company C, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, I Corps. "Being able to travel to places like India as part of your job is an adventure most are eager to take on."

Together the Indian army and U.S. Army have been paving the "Pacific Pathways" and are forming a partnership for the rest of the world to model.

"As a junior enlisted Soldier, I see this as a stepping stone for our [the U.S.] future, and the future of the world," said Barry. "Forming an alliance based on peace and prosperity is something that any person can take something from ... and bigger than that, any country!"