General Rawat spearheaded a historic period of transformation in Indian military: US Embassy

NEW DELHI: The United States Embassy here has extended its “deepest condolences to the Rawat family and the families of those who perished in the tragic helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu”. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika and 11 other people on board an Indian Air Force helicopter died in a crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.
The US Embassy said that as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Rawat spearheaded a historic period of transformation in the Indian military. "He was a strong friend and partner of the United States, overseeing a major expansion of India’s defense cooperation with the US military,” read a release from the embassy.
The embassy recalled his recent five-day US visit in September, when he travelled throughout the United States as part of a counterpart visit with General Mark Milley to discuss military developments and opportunities to enhance “our cooperation with like-minded countries”. “His legacy will continue. Our thoughts are with the Indian people and the Indian military, and we pray for Group Captain Varun Singh’s full recovery,” the release added.
Group Captain Singh, who was also in the chopper, is currently under treatment at a military hospital in Wellington.