The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Upendra Dwivedi, has successfully concluded his official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka from 5 to 8 January 2026, reinforcing India’s commitment to deepening defence cooperation, enhancing military-to-military engagement, and strengthening strategic partnerships with friendly nations in West Asia and the Indian Ocean Region.
Visit to the United Arab Emirates
During his visit to the UAE from 5–6 January 2026, the COAS held wide-ranging discussions with senior leadership of the UAE Armed Forces, including the Commander of the UAE Land Forces. The discussions focused on strengthening defence cooperation, enhancing interoperability, and expanding avenues for joint training and professional military exchanges.
General Dwivedi received detailed briefings on the organisational structure, roles, and operational capabilities of the UAE Land Forces and visited key military establishments, where he interacted with officers and troops. These engagements facilitated the exchange of best practices and exploration of collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
The COAS also addressed officers at the UAE National Defence College, underscoring the importance of strategic dialogue, leadership development, and shared perspectives on regional and global security challenges.
As part of defence diplomacy efforts, he interacted with the Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, during which key aspects of bilateral defence cooperation were discussed.
Visit to Sri Lanka
From 7–8 January 2026, the COAS visited Sri Lanka, where he held substantive discussions with senior military and civil leadership, including the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, the Deputy Minister of Defence, and the Defence Secretary. The talks focused on training cooperation, capacity building, defence education, and regional security dynamics.
Reflecting India’s enduring commitment to defence capacity building, General Dwivedi addressed officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) and interacted with officers and trainees at the Army War College, Buttala. During his visit to the Army War College, he laid the foundation stone of a Sports Complex, formally handed over Ambulance Vans, and also presented 20 Mahindra Scorpio vehicles and simulators to the Sri Lanka Army, significantly strengthening operational capability and training infrastructure.
The COAS paid homage at the IPKF War Memorial, honouring the supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers and reaffirming the shared history and deep people-to-people bonds between India and Sri Lanka. He also interacted with the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha.
Outcomes and Strategic Significance
The visit significantly advanced defence and military-to-military cooperation with both the UAE and Sri Lanka through enhanced strategic dialogue, expanded professional military education exchanges, and tangible capacity-building initiatives. It reinforced mutual trust, strengthened interoperability, and underscored India’s role as a reliable and trusted defence partner.
Conclusion
The successful engagements reaffirm India’s commitment to fostering peace, stability, and cooperative security in the Indian Ocean Region and West Asia, while deepening longstanding defence partnerships with friendly nations and advancing shared strategic objectives.
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Source: PIB
