Seventeen crew members of the U.S. Navy's P-8A Poseidon aircraft met with students from Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) University in Tamil Nadu on April 10, as a part of the Tiger Triumph 2025 joint military exercise. The visit, coinciding with a stop at the Indian Naval Air Station INS Rajali, represents the fourth iteration of this joint exercise between the United States and India.
Dr. Sekar Viswanathan, Vice President of VIT, welcomed the U.S. Navy crew. The visitors informed students about the aircraft’s features and its role in joint operations with the Indian Navy, emphasizing the practical applications of emerging technologies in maritime security and disaster response.
U.S. Consulate General Chennai Public Diplomacy Officer, Eric Atkins, stated, “Tiger Triumph is a bridge between our people and our shared vision for a secure and resilient Indo-Pacific. Today’s interaction at VIT University highlights another facet of how innovation, collaboration, and mutual respect can power our partnership forward.”
Lieutenant Noah Conner, officer in charge of the P-8A attachment under Commander, Task Force 72 and U.S. 7th Fleet, expressed excitement about the exercises. He said, “Our team is thrilled to be in India for Tiger Triumph 2025, where we can bring this technology and expertise into a realistic training environment that prepares our joint, combined forces for any mission our nations may require. One of the most important parts of this exercise is building personal relationships and strengthening the bonds between our people, and that’s what we’ve been able to do with the students at the university. This is a really special occasion that we’ll remember always.”
Taking place from April 1 to April 13 in Visakhapatnam, Tiger Triumph 2025 is designed to refine joint logistical, command and control, and maritime maneuver capabilities. This exercise underscores the strength of the U.S.-India defense partnership and the value of people-to-people ties in fostering a secure and innovative future in the Indo-Pacific region.