The Statesman – General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka from January 5 to 8 as part of India’s continued engagement to strengthen defence cooperation and military-to-military ties with friendly foreign countries.
“The visit of the Chief of the Army Staff to the UAE and Sri Lanka reaffirms India’s commitment to strengthening defence cooperation, fostering mutual trust, and enhancing interoperability with friendly nations in the Indian Ocean Region and West Asia,” the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday.
The visit will begin with the COAS’s engagements in the United Arab Emirates from January 5 to 6. On arrival, General Dwivedi will be accorded a Guard of Honour by the UAE Land Forces.
During his stay, the COAS will 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.
He will also visit key military establishments and interact with officers and troops, underscoring the growing defence partnership between India and the UAE.
As part of the visit, General Dwivedi will visit the UAE National Defence College, where he will address officers. These engagements are aimed at further enhancing bilateral defence cooperation, professional military exchanges, and strategic understanding between the two armed forces.
Following the UAE visit, the COAS will travel to Sri Lanka from January 7 to 8, 2026. On arrival, he will be accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Army.
During his 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. He will hold detailed discussions on matters of mutual interest, including training cooperation, capacity building, and regional security.
During the visit, 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, reflecting India’s strong commitment to defence education and professional military exchanges with Sri Lanka.
General Dwivedi will also pay homage at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) War Memorial, honouring the supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers.
