Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi begins strategic defence visits to UAE and Sri Lanka

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi has departed on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka from January 5 to 8, 2026 , underscoring India’s commitment to strengthening defence cooperation, enhancing military-to-military ties, and fostering regional security partnerships .

The visit will begin in the UAE from January 5–6 , where General Dwivedi will be accorded a Guard of Honour by the UAE Land Forces . During the visit, he will meet senior leadership of the UAE Armed Forces, including the Commander of the UAE Land Forces, receive briefings on their structure, roles, and capabilities, and visit key military establishments. The COAS will also address officers at the UAE National Defence College , reinforcing professional military exchanges and strategic understanding between the two armed forces.

India and the UAE, under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2015, have significantly expanded defence ties. Cooperation includes joint military exercises such as Desert Cyclone , real-time maritime information sharing, search-and-rescue operations, anti-piracy and anti-pollution initiatives, and customised training for UAE forces. At the 13th India–UAE Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in 2025, both sides agreed to deepen joint training and capacity-building programmes.

Following the UAE leg, the COAS will visit Sri Lanka from January 7–8 , receiving a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Army . 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 India’s enduring strategic engagement in the Indian Ocean Region.

During his stay, 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 , underlining India’s support for defence education and professional exchanges. He will also pay homage at the IPKF War Memorial , honouring the supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers.

India–Sri Lanka defence cooperation has expanded through a five-year MoU signed in 2025 , institutionalising military ties. Under this framework, India trains approximately 750 Sri Lankan troops annually and conducts joint activities, including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and annual naval exercises like SLINEX , enhancing interoperability and maritime security in the Indian Ocean.

The visit by General Dwivedi reflects India’s continued emphasis on regional strategic engagement, mutual trust, and interoperability with friendly nations in the Indian Ocean Region and West Asia , consolidating India’s defence diplomacy and reinforcing long-term security partnerships.