Army Chief to visit Algeria to boost defence cooperation

General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), will pay an official visit to Algeria next week, marking his first overseas tour since the successful conclusion of Operation Sindoor. The visit reflects India’s growing emphasis on strengthening strategic engagements with key partners abroad.According to the Ministry of Defence, the Army Chief’s discussions in Algiers will focus on deepening Army-to-Army cooperation, expanding training exchanges, and enhancing capability development initiatives. Given Algeria’s operation of equipment similar to India’s, both sides are expected to explore collaboration in training, maintenance support, and defence technologies.The visit will also cover prospects for defence industrial partnerships, particularly in modernisation, logistics and equipment support. General Dwivedi is expected to share India’s approach of “zero tolerance for terrorism” while exchanging views on regional and global security challenges.Algeria is regarded by New Delhi as a natural partner in its outreach to Africa and the Mediterranean, with its pivotal role in the Maghreb–Sahel region and its strong positions in the African Union and the Non-Aligned Movement.Defence officials noted that Algeria’s robust military capabilities and strategic geography make it a key partner for advancing peace and stability in the wider region. The visit follows recent trips by the President of India and the Chief of Defence Staff to Algiers, which set the stage for expanded cooperation. Defence officials said General Dwivedi’s engagement is expected to inject fresh momentum into bilateral ties, reinforcing the principles of sovereignty, non-alignment and South–South cooperation while laying the foundation for long-term defence collaboration.