**Summary:**
Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, Chief of the Australian Army, conducted an official visit to India from August 11-14, 2025, to enhance bilateral defence cooperation and strategic engagement. The visit commenced with a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, followed by a Guard of Honour and a meeting with General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, where he was briefed on India's security perspective, Operation SINDOOR, and technological advancements within the Indian Army. General Stuart also met with General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff; Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff; Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of Air Staff; and Shri Rajesh Kumar, Defence Secretary. Further collaboration was fostered through a meeting between the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Australian Army and the Army Subedar Major of the Indian Army. On August 12, General Stuart visited the 50 Independent Parachute Brigade in Agra and the Taj Mahal. He then returned to New Delhi to deliver a keynote address at the National Defence College. The visit continued in Pune on August 13-14, where he interacted with Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, and addressed cadets at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, on leadership, joint training, and cooperation. The visit included participation in other defense cooperation engagements. This high-level engagement underscores the commitment of both India and Australia to a stable, secure, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
Key Entities Referenced
Lieutenant General Simon Stuart: Chief of the Australian Army
Australian Army: The land warfare force of Australia
India: The Republic of India
New Delhi: Capital of India
General Upendra Dwivedi: Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army
Indian Armed Forces: The military forces of the Republic of India
National Defence College: A defence service training institution in New Delhi, India
Pune, Maharashtra: A city in the state of Maharashtra, India. Location of Southern Command and National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla.
Ministry of Defence
LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIMON STUART, CHIEF
OF AUSTRALIAN ARMY, COMMENCES FOUR-
DAY VISIT TO INDIA
Posted On: 11 AUG 2025 4:48PM by PIB Delhi
Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, Chief of the Australian Army, has arrived in New Delhi on an official visit
to India from 11 to 14 August 2025. The visit aims to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and
enhance strategic engagement between the two nations.
The visit commenced with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial, where General
Stuart paid homage to the fallen heroes of the Indian Armed Forces. This was followed by a Guard of Honour
at South Block and a formal call-on with General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff.
The Chief of Australian Army was briefed on India’s security perspective, Operation SINDOOR, and
recent advancements in technology absorption within the Indian Army. He also met senior
leadership of the Indian Armed Forces, including General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff;
Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff; Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of Air
Staff; and Shri Rajesh Kumar, Defence Secretary. On the sidelines of the visit, the Regimental
Sergeant Major of the Australian Army met the Army Subedar Major of the Indian Army at South
Block, fostering camaraderie and collaboration between all ranks.
On 12 August, General Stuart will travel to Agra to visit the 50 (Independent) Parachute Brigade
and interact with all ranks. He will also visit the iconic Taj Mahal before returning to New Delhi to
deliver a keynote address at the National Defence College.
On 13 and 14 August, the Chief of the Australian Army will proceed to Pune, where he will interact
with Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command,
and visit the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. He is scheduled to address the cadets on
leadership, joint training, and cooperation. During the two-day visit, he will also participate in other
defence cooperation engagements.
This high-level visit reaffirms the strong and growing India–Australia defence partnership and
underscores the shared commitment of both nations towards a stable, secure, and rules-based
Indo-Pacific region._______________________________________________________________________
NA/ PK
(Release ID: 2155075)