**Executive Summary**
General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), is visiting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka from January 5-8, 2026. This visit aims to strengthen defence cooperation and military ties with friendly countries. The COAS will meet with senior military and civil leadership in both countries, with engagements scheduled in the UAE from January 5-6, 2026, and in Sri Lanka from January 7-8, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Visit Overview:**
* COAS General Upendra Dwivedi will visit the UAE and Sri Lanka from January 5-8, 2026.
* The visit is part of India's efforts to enhance defence cooperation.
* **UAE Engagement (January 5-6, 2026):**
* Guard of Honour by UAE Land Forces upon arrival.
* Meetings with senior leadership of the UAE Armed Forces, including the Commander of the UAE Land Forces.
* Briefings on the UAE Army's structure, roles, and capabilities.
* Visit to key military establishments and interaction with officers and troops.
* Address to officers at the UAE National Defence College.
* Objectives: Enhance bilateral defence cooperation, professional military exchanges, and strategic understanding.
* **Sri Lanka Engagement (January 7-8, 2026):**
* Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Army upon arrival.
* Engagement with senior military and civil leadership, including the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Deputy Minister of Defence, and the Defence Secretary.
* Detailed discussions on training cooperation, capacity building, and regional security.
* Address to officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC).
* Interaction with officers and trainees at the Army War College, Buttala.
* Pay homage at the IPKF War Memorial.
**Impact Analysis**
**UAE Armed Forces & Leadership**
* **Impact:** Facilitates knowledge exchange, promotes strategic alignment, and strengthens defence partnerships.
* **Action Required:** Participate in meetings and briefings, and engage in discussions to identify areas for collaboration.
**Sri Lankan Armed Forces & Leadership**
* **Impact:** Fosters cooperation on training, capacity building, and regional security, reinforcing India's commitment to defence education.
* **Action Required:** Engage in discussions, arrange visits to relevant establishments, and ensure effective coordination for the COAS's visit.
**Indian Army**
* **Impact:** Reinforces India's commitment to strengthening defence cooperation, fostering mutual trust and enhancing interoperability with friendly nations.
* **Action Required:** Support COAS in meeting all required engagements.
Key Entities Referenced
General Upendra Dwivedi: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) visiting UAE and Sri Lanka to strengthen defence cooperation.
UAE: The United Arab Emirates, a key location for the COAS's visit to enhance defence cooperation.
Sri Lanka: A key location for the COAS's visit to enhance defence cooperation and regional security.
Ministry of Defence: The ministry under which the Chief of Army Staff's visit falls.
Ministry of Defence
CHIEF OF THE ARMY STAFF, GENERAL
UPENDRA DWIVEDI PROCEEDS ON VISIT TO
UAE AND SRI LANKA
प्रव तथ: 04 JAN 2026 2:41PM by PIB Delhi
The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi, has proceeded on a visit to the United
Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka from 05 to 08 January 2026, as part of India’s continued engagement
to strengthen defence cooperation and military-to-military ties with friendly foreign countries.
The visit will commence with the COAS’s engagements in the United Arab Emirates from 05 - 06 January
2026. On arrival, General Dwivedi will be accorded a Guard of Honour by the UAE Land Forces. During
his stay, the COAS will call-on 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. This includes a visit to UAE National Defence College
wherein COAS will address all officers. These engagements are aimed at further enhancing bilateral
defence cooperation, professional military exchanges and strategic understanding between the two armed
forces.
Following the visit to the UAE, the COAS will visit Sri Lanka from 07 - 08 January 2026. On arrival, the
COAS will be accorded 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, Deputy Minister of Defence and
the Defence Secretary; and hold detailed discussions on matters of mutual interest, including training
cooperation, capacity building and regional security.
During the visit, the COAS 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 IPKF War Memorial, honouring the supreme sacrifice of
Indian soldiers.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
NA/RS
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