General Manoj Pande, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), departed on a three-day visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan today to enhance defence cooperation with the central Asian country. Gen Pande will hold important discussions with the top defence leaders of Uzbekistan on the first day of his visit. The meetings will involve Lieutenant General Bakhodir Kurbanov, who serves as the Defence Minister of Uzbekistan and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and Chief of Air and Air Defence Forces. These talks are crucial in promoting stronger military cooperation between the two nations.
According to a Defence Ministry statement, the itinerary also includes a visit to the Armed Forces Museum and a tour of the Hast Imam Ensemble, which will provide valuable insights into Uzbekistan’s rich military history and accomplishments.
On the second day, the COAS will pay homage to Late Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of India. The day’s activities will also include a visit to the Centre for Innovative Technologies LLC, where the COAS will learn about Uzbekistan’s defence technology and innovation initiatives. Later, General Manoj Pande will inaugurate the IT lab at the Uzbekistan Armed Forces Academy, which was established with the help of India.
On the 17th, the Army Chief has plans to travel to Samarkand, where he will meet with the Commander of the Central Military District. This visit will conclude in Termez on the 18th, where the COAS is scheduled to witness the Joint Exercise DUSTLIK, showcasing the interoperability and camaraderie between the armed forces of India and Uzbekistan. During his stay, he will also explore the Termez Museum and the historical landmarks of the Surkhandarya Region, gaining insight into Uzbekistan’s rich cultural heritage.
General Manoj Pande’s visit is focused on enhancing military cooperation between India and Uzbekistan and exploring new avenues of collaboration between the two countries, the statement stated.
Team BharatShakti
