ISLAMABAD: India’s Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi hascommenced a significant two-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates,marking a pivotal moment in the evolving defence relationship between thetwo nations. Announced by the Indian Army on Sunday, the visit from January5 to 6 aims to deepen mutual understanding and advance cooperation in areasof strategic interest. This high-level engagement comes amid a series ofrecent bilateral military initiatives that have bolstered ties.
The trip underscores a shared commitment to enhancing bilateral defencecollaboration, as stated by the Additional Directorate General of PublicInformation of the Indian Army. General Dwivedi is expected to receive aGuard of Honour from the UAE Land Forces and hold discussions with seniorEmirati military leaders. He will also address officers at the UAE NationalDefence College and visit key military establishments, fostering greaterinteroperability and trust.
This visit builds on the momentum from the recently concluded secondedition of Exercise Desert Cyclone-II, a joint military drill held in AbuDhabi from December 18 to 30, 2025. The exercise involved 45 personnel fromIndia’s Mechanised Infantry Regiment and the UAE’s 53 Mechanised InfantryBattalion, focusing on sub-conventional operations in urban environmentsunder a United Nations mandate. It emphasised skills such as buildingclearance, improvised explosive device handling, and casualty evacuation.
The exercise reaffirmed the deepening defence partnership and contributedto developing interoperable capabilities for peacekeeping,counter-terrorism, and stability operations. Participants engaged inplatoon-level joint assaults and integrated urban operations, standardisingtactics and procedures. Such drills highlight the practical outcomes of theIndia-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established during PrimeMinister Narendra Modi’s 2015 visit to the UAE.
In July 2025, the 13th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting in NewDelhi saw both sides commit to elevating defence ties. Discussions coveredtraining cooperation, joint manufacturing, and co-development oftechnologies like artificial intelligence. A memorandum of understandingwas signed between the Indian Coast Guard and UAE National Guard formaritime security enhancements, including anti-piracy and pollutionresponse.
Prior to that, the fourth Army-to-Army staff talks and inaugural Air-to-Airengagements took place, signalling institutionalised service-levelinteractions. Joint manufacturing models, similar to the ICOMM-CARACALcollaboration for small arms, were explored, alongside opportunities inshipbuilding and platform maintenance. These developments reflect a shifttowards self-reliance and innovation in defence production.
General Dwivedi’s visit follows reciprocal high-level exchanges, includingthe UAE Land Forces Commander’s trip to India in October 2025 and thePresidential Guard Commander’s in December. These interactions have laidthe groundwork for expanded cooperation in strategic and defence domains.The Gulf region’s importance for India’s energy security and diasporainterests further amplifies the significance of these ties.
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Analysts view this engagement as part of India’s broader military diplomacyin West Asia and the Indian Ocean Region. By strengthening partnershipswith key players like the UAE, New Delhi aims to address shared securitychallenges, including maritime threats and regional stability. The visit isexpected to yield agreements on future joint exercises and technologytransfers.
As geopolitical dynamics evolve, the India-UAE defence axis is poised forfurther growth, potentially influencing broader regional alliances. GeneralDwivedi’s discussions may pave the way for enhanced information sharing andcoordinated responses to emerging threats. This visit not only consolidatesexisting gains but also signals intent for a more robust strategicalignment in the coming years.
Source:https://swarajyamag.com/defence/indian-army-chief-general-upendra-dwivedi-begins-official-visit-to-uae-and-sri-lanka-to-strengthen-defence-cooperation
Tags: India, UAE, Upendra Dwivedi, Desert Cyclone, Defence Cooperation
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