Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi concluded his official visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka from January 05 to 08, 2026, reaffirming India’s commitment to deepening defence cooperation, enhancing military-to-military engagement and strengthening strategic partnerships in West Asia and the Indian Ocean Region.
Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that during his visit to the UAE from January 5 to 6, General Dwivedi held wide-ranging discussions with senior leadership of the UAE Armed Forces, including the Commander of the UAE Land Forces. The interactions focused on strengthening defence cooperation, enhancing interoperability and expanding opportunities for joint training and professional military exchanges.
General Upendra Dwivedi highlights modern warfare, defence ties during UAE visit
The COAS 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, facilitating the exchange of best practices and exploring avenues of mutual interest.
General Dwivedi also addressed officers at the UAE National Defence College, emphasising the importance of strategic dialogue, leadership development and shared perspectives on regional and global security challenges. He additionally met Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Dr. Deepak Mittal, to discuss aspects of defence diplomacy and bilateral cooperation, the MoD said.
