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In a significant move to deepen strategic and military ties, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi is set to embark on a high-level visit to Algeria next week. It marks his first overseas tour since the success of Operation Sindoor, highlighting India’s growing focus on defence diplomacy in North Africa and beyond.
The visit underscores the momentum built over the past year in India–Algeria relations, particularly after the signing of a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation last November. That agreement, signed during the visit of Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan to Algiers (November 2024), has laid the groundwork for expanded military engagement between the two nations.
Why the Visit Matters
General Dwivedi’s trip comes at a time when Algeria is actively seeking to diversify its defence partnerships beyond its traditional reliance on Russia. As Algeria modernises its armed forces and enhances its military manufacturing capabilities, India emerges as a natural partner, offering not just equipment and training, but shared values rooted in non-alignment and South–South cooperation.
During his visit, General Dwivedi is expected to engage with top military leadership in Algiers to discuss:
- Strengthening army-to-army cooperation
- Expanding joint training and capacity-building programs
- Enhancing collaboration in defence technologies, logistics, and maintenance
- Promoting India’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make for the World’ initiatives
India, which operates similar defence systems to those used by Algeria, is well-positioned to offer operational support, training, and technical expertise. This alignment creates a foundation for deeper interoperability and mutual capability development.
Strategic Importance
Algeria’s strategic location, as a security pillar in the Maghreb–Sahel region and a gateway to the Mediterranean, makes it a vital partner for India’s wider outreach in Africa. The country holds significant geopolitical clout in the African Union and Non-Aligned Movement, and is rich in oil, gas, and rare earth elements.
For India, this visit reinforces its broader strategic vision of building strong defence ties with key African nations, while supporting regional stability and counter-terrorism efforts.
Building on High-Level Engagements
This tour follows a series of important bilateral visits that have set the stage for elevated ties:
- In October last year, Indian President Droupadi Murmu visited Algeria, affirming high-level political support for the partnership.
- Around the same time, CDS General Chauhan attended Algeria’s 70th Independence Day celebrations and signed the key Defence MoU.
- Earlier this year, Algerian Army Chief Lieutenant General Said Chengriha visited India, touring major Indian defence manufacturers such as Bharat Forge and Larsen & Toubro, signalling Algiers’ interest in Indian military technology.
A Shift in Algeria’s Defence Posture
Algeria’s outreach to India and the United States marks a noticeable shift in its military doctrine, ending decades of near-exclusive reliance on Russian military support. With Russia’s defence capabilities under strain due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Algeria is increasingly turning to new partners for technology, equipment, and training.
Defence analysts view India’s growing cooperation with Algeria as a strategic opening. For Algeria, it means access to modern systems, counter-terror capabilities, and AI-enabled defence platforms. For India, it represents a chance to deepen its presence in Africa, promote indigenous defence production, and forge stronger ties with a key regional power.
Team BharatShakti
