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Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday embarked on a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka to explore ways to strengthen bilateral military cooperation.
“The visit underscores a shared commitment to deepening mutual understanding, enhancing cooperation in areas of common interest and advancing bilateral defence cooperation between the two nations,” the Indian Army said.
The Army Chief’s visit comes in the midst of fast-paced developments in the Gulf region, including escalating tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia over the situation in Yemen. His trip to the UAE is taking place weeks after the Gulf nation’s Commander of the Presidential Guard, Major General Ali Saif Humaid Alkaabi, visited India.
Gen Dwivedi is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with top military brass of the influential Gulf nation.
“During his stay, the COAS will call on senior leadership of the UAE Armed Forces, including the Commander of the UAE Land Forces, and receive briefings on the structure, roles, and capabilities of the UAE Army,” the Indian Army stated in its statement.
He will also visit key military establishments and interact with officers and troops, underscoring the growing defence partnership between India and the UAE. This includes a visit to the UAE National Defence College, wherein the COAS will address all officers. These engagements are aimed at further enhancing bilateral defence cooperation, professional military exchanges and strategic understanding between the two armed forces.
The military cooperation between India and the UAE gained significant momentum after the visit to the UAE by then Army Chief Gen MM Naravane in December 2020. It was the first-ever visit to the UAE by an Indian Army Chief.
Following the UAE leg, Gen Dwivedi will visit Sri Lanka from 7 to 8 January, where he will engage with senior military and civil leadership, including the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, the Deputy Minister of Defence, and the Defence Secretary, to discuss cooperation in training, capacity building, and regional security.
During the Sri Lanka visit, the Army Chief will address officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College and interact with officers and trainees at the Army War College, Buttala.
General Dwivedi will also pay homage at the IPKF War Memorial, honouring the sacrifice of Indian soldiers who served in Sri Lanka.
The visit of the Army Chief to the UAE and Sri Lanka reaffirms India’s commitment to strengthening defence cooperation, fostering mutual trust and enhancing interoperability with friendly nations in the Indian Ocean Region and West Asia, according to the statement.
Team BharatShakti
