Readout: Pacific Fleet commander's meetings at International Seapower Symposium

17 September 2021

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Adm. Samuel Paparo met with various heads of navies and coast guards during the event in Newport, Rhode Island.

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo met with heads of navies and coast guards during the 24th International Seapower Symposium (ISS) in Newport, Rhode Island, Sept. 14-17.

The leaders discussed the importance of strong defense partnerships and the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

NEWPORT, R.I. (Sept. 17, 2021) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, meets with Adm. M. Shaheen Iqbal, Chief of Naval Staff for the Bangladesh Navy, during the 24th International Seapower Symposium. (U.S. Navy photo)

Paparo held discussions with a number of ISS participants including:

Chief of Naval Staff for the Marine Nationale Adm. Pierre Vandier
First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff for the Royal Navy Adm. Tony Radakin
Chief of German Navy Vice Adm. Kay-Achim Shonbach
Chief of the Navy for the Republic of Singapore Rear Adm. Aaron Beng
Chief of Staff of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Adm. Hiroshi Yamamura
Chief of Naval Staff for the Bangladesh Navy Adm. M. Shaheen Iqbal
Chief of Naval for the India Navy Adm. Karambir Singh
Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy Vice Adm. Craig Baines
Commander of Western Fleet for the Royal Malaysian Navy Vice Adm. Datuk Abu Baker bin Md Ajis
Chief of the Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy Adm. Muhmmad Amjad Khan Niazi
Commander of Sri Lanka Navy Vice Adm. Nishantha Ulugetenne

NEWPORT, R.I. (Sept. 17, 2021) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, presents Vice Adm. Nishantha Ulugetenne, commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, with a birthday cake during the 24th International Seapower Symposium. (U.S. Navy photo)

ISS focused on strength in unity. The U.S. vision excludes no nation and does not ask countries to choose between one partner nation and another, instead, the U.S. asks that all countries uphold the core principles of the international order. Challenges to strategic waterways are a global problem set that will only be solved with global resolve.

The strength of our network of alliances and partnerships is an unparalleled strategic asset and our asymmetric advantage.

NEWPORT, R.I. (Sept. 17, 2021) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, meets with Adm. Muhmmad Amjad Khan Niazi, Chief of the Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy, during the 24th International Seapower Symposium. (U.S. Navy photo)