Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi, began his official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka from January 5 to 8, 2026, reaffirming India’s commitment to enhancing defence cooperation and interoperability with friendly nations.
The visit commenced in the UAE on January 5, where General Dwivedi received a Guard of Honour from the UAE Land Forces. Furthermore, he met senior leadership of the UAE Armed Forces, including the Commander of the UAE Land Forces, and received detailed briefings on the structure, roles, and capabilities of the UAE Army. He also visited key military establishments, interacted with officers and troops, and addressed officers at the UAE National Defence College, underscoring the growing defence partnership between India and the UAE.
Following his engagements in the UAE, General Dwivedi will travel to Sri Lanka on January 7. On arrival, he will be accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Army. Moreover, he will hold discussions with senior military and civil leadership, including the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, the Deputy Minister of Defence, and the Defence Secretary. These talks will focus on training cooperation, capacity building, and regional security.
In addition, General Dwivedi will address officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) and interact with officers and trainees at the Army War College, Buttala. These engagements highlight India’s strong commitment to defence education and professional military exchanges with Sri Lanka.
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