The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi, has proceeded on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka from January 5 to 8, 2026, as part of India’s sustained efforts to strengthen defence cooperation and military-to-military ties with friendly nations.
Engagements in the United Arab Emirates (January 5–6)
The visit will commence in the UAE, where General Dwivedi will be accorded a Guard of Honour by the UAE Land Forces. He is scheduled to call on the 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 COAS will also visit key military establishments, interact with officers and troops, and address officers at the UAE National Defence College. These engagements aim to deepen bilateral defence cooperation, expand professional military exchanges, and enhance strategic understanding between the two armed forces—building on the growing India–UAE defence partnership.
Visit to Sri Lanka (January 7–8)
From the UAE, the COAS will proceed to Sri Lanka, where he will be accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Army. During the visit, 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.
Discussions will focus on training cooperation, capacity building, and regional security, reflecting shared interests in stability across the Indian Ocean Region.
General Dwivedi will address officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College and interact with officers and trainees at the Army War College, Buttala, underscoring India’s strong commitment to defence education and professional military exchanges with Sri Lanka.
Paying Homage
As part of the visit, the COAS will pay homage at the IPKF War Memorial, honouring the supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers who served in Sri Lanka.
Strengthening Regional Partnerships
The visit reaffirms India’s commitment to strengthening defence cooperation, fostering mutual trust, and enhancing interoperability with friendly nations in West Asia and the Indian Ocean Region, aligning with New Delhi’s broader strategic outreach and security cooperation initiatives.
