Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi embarked on an official visit to Sri Lanka on January 7, following his trip to the UAE, to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation and military ties. His visit is part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, initiated to provide humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka during Cyclone Ditwah. General Dwivedi’s agenda includes discussions with senior Sri Lankan military and civil leaders, addressing training cooperation and regional security at key military institutions, and paying homage at the IPKF War Memorial. This engagement underscores India’s commitment to enhancing interoperability and mutual trust within the Indian Ocean Region and reflects a broader strategy to reinforce ties with regional partners.