Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi, paid a significant visit to the Cherchell Military Academy in Algeria, highlighting India’s growing defence diplomacy and long-term strategic outreach in Africa.

During his visit on August 27, General Dwivedi was given a comprehensive briefing on the role of the Academy, which is regarded as Algeria’s premier institution for officer training and leadership development.

He was apprised of the Academy’s rigorous training methodologies, designed to equip cadets with the necessary skills, discipline, and ethos required to serve as effective future leaders in the Algerian Army.

The Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army confirmed the visit and shared details about the interactions and outcomes.

General Dwivedi personally engaged with the faculty of the Academy, commending their professional standards, dedication to service, and high-quality training frameworks that have been instrumental in shaping the leadership backbone of the Algerian armed forces.

In his remarks, he praised the Academy’s commitment to excellence and encouraged its instructors and cadets to continue striving for the highest levels of service to their nation.

He further emphasised that India was keen to foster deeper cooperation between Algeria’s training institutions and the Indian Armed Forces’ military academies, with a focus on exchanging best practices, training expertise, and academic frameworks. This initiative is aimed at enhancing joint learning and mutual growth at the institutional level while also paving the way for stronger bilateral defence education cooperation.

General Dwivedi’s visit to the Academy formed part of his wider official tour of Algeria, where he had earlier reviewed a ceremonial Guard of Honour and held high-level discussions with senior Algerian defence leadership. Of particular significance was his interaction with Lieutenant General Mostefa Smaali, the Commander of the Algerian Land Forces.

The two leaders explored avenues for expanding the scope of bilateral defence cooperation in areas such as training, capacity building, and operational exchanges. They also deliberated on mechanisms to institutionalise regular interaction between the two armies to boost interoperability and strengthen strategic trust.

The discussions built on the momentum created by the recent visits of the President of India and the Chief of Defence Staff, which collectively reflect the premium India places on forging a robust and enduring defence partnership with Algeria.

This visit was preceded by a major defence seminar held in Algiers between July 30 and August 1, where Indian defence industries showcased a wide array of indigenous capabilities and technological advances.

That event laid the groundwork for prospective industrial collaboration, co-development initiatives, and technology-sharing arrangements between the two countries.

By aligning his visit with this strategic backdrop, General Dwivedi’s engagements underscored New Delhi’s intention to not only enhance government-level cooperation but also to integrate Indian defence enterprises into Algeria’s evolving security and defence modernisation landscape.

The visit also carries symbolic weight as it marks General Upendra Dwivedi’s first overseas engagement following the remarkable success of Operation Sindoor, a landmark military mission that elevated his profile domestically and internationally.

The choice of Algeria as the destination for this inaugural international visit underscores the importance India accords to Africa in its defence diplomacy matrix, while also signalling New Delhi’s commitment to fortifying its presence in the Western Mediterranean region.

It reflects India’s broader strategic vision of leveraging defence relationships to build trust, foster capacity-building, and support partners in enhancing regional stability.

General Dwivedi’s tour of Algeria and his visit to Cherchell Military Academy represent a multifaceted effort to deepen defence ties, promote military education exchanges, and pave the way for future collaboration in both conventional military domains and defence industries.

The visit is expected to contribute significantly to the expansion of India-Algeria defence relations, aligning with India’s strategic objective of securing stronger partnerships with countries of vital geopolitical importance in Africa and beyond.

Based On ANI Report