Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi to Strengthen India-Algeria Defence Relations During Official Visit

General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Army, is scheduled to travel to Algeria next week. This will be his first overseas visit following the successful Operation Sindoor. The trip is part of India's ongoing efforts to enhance its strategic and defense relationships within Africa.

According to sources, the focus of the visit will be on fortifying defense collaborations. Discussions are anticipated to revolve around strengthening Army-to-Army relationships, training exchanges, advancement in capabilities, and cooperation in defense technologies. Since Algeria utilizes equipment similar to that of India's armed forces, the partnership is expected to be advantageous for both nations, particularly in areas such as operational know-how, maintenance support, and logistics.

The two nations are also expected to explore opportunities for cooperation in the defense sector, with an emphasis on modernization, equipment support, and potential co-production initiatives.

An Army spokesperson commented that the talks would aim to deepen trust, enhance interoperability, and expand practical cooperation between the militaries of the two countries.

India perceives Algeria as a key partner in its efforts to engage with Africa and the Mediterranean, due to Algeria's strategic role as a security leader in the Sahel region, its significant energy resources, and strong military capabilities. This visit follows previous visits by India's President and the Chief of Defence Staff to Algeria, which have helped to establish a foundation for closer ties.

General Dwivedi is also anticipated to share India's strategic stance on zero tolerance for terrorism and participate in discussions on regional and global security challenges.

Experts point out that Algeria's role within the African Union and its tradition of non-alignment are in alignment with India's vision of South–South cooperation and a multipolar world. The visit is expected to invigorate India-Algeria defense and security relations, reinforcing mutual values of sovereignty and stability.