India’s Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and Commander of the UAE Land Forces Yousef Maayouf Saeed Al Hallami held discussions on Monday aimed at enhancing positive military engagement, training convergence, and advancing bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries.
In a post on X, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information said the interaction took place during General Dwivedi’s ongoing visit to the UAE. The discussions focused on strengthening defence ties and expanding cooperation across key military domains. The COAS also visited the UAE Land Forces Museum, where he was briefed on the history, traditions, and military heritage of the UAE Land Forces.
Earlier in the day, General Dwivedi met India’s Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal, with talks centred on further strengthening India–UAE bilateral cooperation. According to the Indian Army, the discussions emphasised military diplomacy, defence engagement, and deepening strategic ties between the two nations.
General Dwivedi is on an official visit to the UAE as part of India’s continued engagement to strengthen defence cooperation and military-to-military ties with friendly countries. As per the Ministry of Defence, he will call on senior leadership of the UAE Armed Forces and receive briefings on the structure, roles, and capabilities of the UAE Army. The visit also includes interactions with officers and troops, reflecting the growing defence partnership between India and the UAE. The COAS is scheduled to 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,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
Following the conclusion of his UAE visit, General Dwivedi will travel to Sri Lanka from January 7–8. He will be accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Army and will meet senior military and civil leadership, including the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, the Deputy Minister of Defence, and the Defence Secretary. Discussions will cover areas of mutual interest such as training cooperation, capacity building, and regional security.
During the Sri Lanka visit, the COAS will address officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College and interact with officers and trainees at the Army War College in Buttala. He will also pay homage at the IPKF War Memorial in honour of Indian soldiers who laid down their lives.
The Ministry of Defence said the visit 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.
— IANS
