After UAE Tour, Army Chief Heads To Sri Lanka, Reinforcing India’s Neighbourhood First Defence Push
The visit of the Chief of the Army Staff to the UAE and Sri Lanka reaffirms India's commitment to strengthening defence cooperation. Image courtesy: X.com/@adgpi
After concluding his two-day UAE visit, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi has now proceeded on an official visit to Sri Lanka, acting on India’s Neighbourhood First Policy. The timing assumes an even greater significance as Gen Dwivedi’s Sri Lanka trip comes right after Indian Army’s relief and rescue operations in the country following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Shortly after concluding his engagements in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), COAS General Dwivedi embarked on his visit to India’s coastal neighbour Sri Lanka, underlining New Delhi’s dual-track defence diplomacy spanning West Asia and its immediate neighbourhood.
The visit aligns closely with India’s Neighbourhood First policy, reinforcing New Delhi’s focus on deepening defence cooperation with key partners in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Army Chief’s Sri Lanka visit: What Will the COAS Do During the Sri Lanka Visit?
According to the Ministry of Defence, General Dwivedi will be in Sri Lanka from January 7 to 8, 2025, during which he will be accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Army. His engagements will include high-level meetings with the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Deputy Minister of Defence, and the Defence Secretary.
Discussions will focus on training cooperation, capacity building, regional security and strengthening military-to-military ties.
As part of the visit, the Army Chief will also address officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC), interact with officers and trainees at the Army War College, Buttala. These engagements reflect India’s emphasis on professional military education, interoperability and long-term capacity building with Sri Lanka’s armed forces.
What symbolic gestures are planned?
General Dwivedi will also pay homage at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) War Memorial, honouring the supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during operations in Sri Lanka, an enduring symbol of the deep historical and defence ties between the two countries.
What is the context of Operation Sagar Bandhu?
Army Chief General Dwivedi’s visit comes against the backdrop of Operation Sagar Bandhu, India’s humanitarian assistance mission launched to support Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah. Under the operation, India dispatched relief material and assisted in restoring critical connectivity, including infrastructure support by Indian Army engineers.
Recently, the Indian High Commission in Colombo confirmed that Indian Army Engineers have begun launching a 100-foot Bailey Bridge in Kandy, further demonstrating India’s on-ground commitment to Sri Lanka’s recovery.
The engagements highlight India’s growing role as a net security provider, combining humanitarian assistance, capacity building and defence diplomacy.
