### Strengthening Bilateral Ties: General Upendra Dwivedi's Official Visit to Sri Lanka General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army, is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka from January 7 to 8, 2026. This visit aims to enhance bilateral defense cooperation between India and Sri Lanka, focusing on military training, capacity building, and regional security. The visit follows his recent trip to the UAE, where he engaged in discussions to bolster defense ties. Upon his arrival in Sri Lanka, General Dwivedi was received with a Guard of Honour at the Sri Lankan Army Headquarters, marking the significance of this diplomatic engagement [https://www.dailyprabhat.com/sri-lanka-coas-general-upendra-dwivedi-discusses-strengthening-defence-cooperation-with-colombo-reviews-guard-of-honour]. ### Overview of General Dwivedi's Visit Structure 1. **Arrival and Reception**: General Dwivedi arrived in Sri Lanka on January 7, 2026, and was welcomed with a ceremonial Guard of Honour [https://www.newkerala.com/news/a/coas-general-upendra-dwivedi-visit-sri-lanka-january-846.htm]. 2. **High-Level Engagements**: The first day of his visit included meetings with senior military and civil leadership in Sri Lanka to discuss defense cooperation and regional security [https://www.therightnews.in/2026/01/08/chief-of-army-staff-general-upendra-dwivedi-continues-high-level-engagements-on-1st-day-of-his-official-visit-to-sri-lanka]. 3. **Focus on Training and Capacity Building**: Discussions are centered around enhancing military training and capacity building initiatives between the two nations [https://www.newkerala.com/news/a/coas-general-upendra-dwivedi-visit-sri-lanka-january-846.htm]. 4. **Homage at IPKF War Memorial**: General Dwivedi is also scheduled to pay homage at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) War Memorial, highlighting the historical ties and sacrifices made during past military operations [https://www.newkerala.com/news/a/coas-general-upendra-dwivedi-visit-sri-lanka-january-846.htm]. ### Supporting Evidence of Bilateral Cooperation - **Guard of Honour**: The ceremonial welcome signifies the importance of military relations between India and Sri Lanka [https://www.dailyprabhat.com/sri-lanka-coas-general-upendra-dwivedi-discusses-strengthening-defence-cooperation-with-colombo-reviews-guard-of-honour]. - **Strategic Discussions**: The meetings with Sri Lankan leadership are aimed at fostering mutual understanding and cooperation in defense matters [https://www.therightnews.in/2026/01/08/chief-of-army-staff-general-upendra-dwivedi-continues-high-level-engagements-on-1st-day-of-his-official-visit-to-sri-lanka]. - **Historical Context**: The homage at the IPKF War Memorial serves as a reminder of the historical military engagements and the ongoing commitment to peace and stability in the region [https://www.newkerala.com/news/a/coas-general-upendra-dwivedi-visit-sri-lanka-january-846.htm]. ### Conclusion: A Step Towards Enhanced Defense Relations In summary, General Upendra Dwivedi's visit to Sri Lanka is a strategic move to strengthen defense ties and enhance military cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. The visit includes high-level discussions focused on training and capacity building, underscoring the commitment to regional security. Key takeaways from the visit include: 1. **Strengthened Military Ties**: The visit aims to solidify the defense relationship between India and Sri Lanka. 2. **Focus on Training**: Emphasis on military training and capacity building initiatives. 3. **Historical Acknowledgment**: Paying homage at the IPKF War Memorial highlights the historical context of India-Sri Lanka relations. This visit not only reinforces existing ties but also paves the way for future collaborations in defense and security [https://www.dailyprabhat.com/sri-lanka-coas-general-upendra-dwivedi-discusses-strengthening-defence-cooperation-with-colombo-reviews-guard-of-honour, https://www.therightnews.in/2026/01/08/chief-of-army-staff-general-upendra-dwivedi-continues-high-level-engagements-on-1st-day-of-his-official-visit-to-sri-lanka, https://www.newkerala.com/news/a/coas-general-upendra-dwivedi-visit-sri-lanka-january-846.htm].