New Delhi: General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of India, successfully concluded an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka from January 5 to 8, 2026, strengthening India’s defence cooperation, military-to-military engagement, and strategic partnerships in West Asia and the Indian Ocean Region.
Visit to the UAE
During his UAE visit (January 5–6), General Dwivedi held extensive discussions with senior officials of the UAE Armed Forces, including the Commander of the UAE Land Forces, focusing on enhancing defence collaboration, interoperability, and joint training opportunities.
The COAS received briefings on the UAE Land Forces’ structure, roles, and operational capabilities, and visited key military establishments to interact with officers and troops. He also addressed officers at the UAE National Defence College, emphasizing leadership development and strategic dialogue on regional and global security challenges.
Discussions with Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Dr Deepak Mittal, highlighted avenues for defence diplomacy and cooperation between the two nations.
Visit to Sri Lanka
From January 7–8, General Dwivedi visited Sri Lanka, where he met senior military and civil leadership, including the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Deputy Minister of Defence, and Defence Secretary, to discuss training cooperation, capacity building, defence education, and regional security.
He addressed officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) and visited the Army War College, Buttala, where he laid the foundation stone of a Sports Complex and handed over ambulance vans, 20 Mahindra Scorpio vehicles, and simulators to enhance operational capabilities and training infrastructure.
The COAS also paid homage at the IPKF War Memorial, honoring the sacrifice of Indian soldiers and reaffirming the deep historical and people-to-people ties between India and Sri Lanka.
Key Outcomes
The visit advanced defence collaboration with the UAE and Sri Lanka, expanded professional military education exchanges, and reinforced trust and interoperability. It underscored India’s role as a reliable defence partner committed to promoting peace, stability, and cooperative security in the Indian Ocean Region and West Asia.
