Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi has successfully wrapped up an important visit to Australia, which took place from February 16 to 19, 2026. This visit is seen as a critical advancement in fortifying defence cooperation between India and Australia, with an emphasis on reinforcing the strategic alignment between the two nations.
Throughout his trip, General Dwivedi engaged in extensive discussions with senior officials from the Australian Defence Forces. The agenda comprised a review of current bilateral initiatives and strategies to expand army-to-army cooperation. Key topics included enhancing the complexity of joint military exercises, increasing exchanges in professional military education, and improving interoperability between the two forces.
In Sydney, General Dwivedi had strategic dialogues with leaders from Forces Command, Special Operations Command, and the Australian Army’s 2nd Division. These discussions enabled both nations to exchange insights on operational readiness, concepts, and training methodologies. A particular focus was placed on enriching the next iteration of Exercise AUSTRAHIND, scheduled to take place in India later in 2026.
The visit also included meaningful discussions in Canberra, where General Dwivedi was honored with a ceremonial Guard of Honour before engaging in substantial talks with the Chief of the Australian Army. Their conversations were grounded in their shared experience as alumni of the US Army War College’s Class of 2015, reinforcing their mutual commitment to fortifying institutional ties. A comprehensive round-table discussion at the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Headquarters explored topics such as force modernization, emerging technologies, and the future of operational environments.
Additionally, General Dwivedi addressed officers at the Australian Command and Staff College and held discussions with the leadership of the Australian Defence College, where he emphasized the importance of adaptive leadership, joint operations, and multinational cooperation.
As part of his itinerary, General Dwivedi also met with the Chief of Defence Forces and the Secretary of the Department of Defence. He visited the Headquarters Joint Operations Command to gain insights into Australia’s integrated, multi-domain operational framework. The trip included a poignant moment where he laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial, paying tribute to fallen soldiers. He also interacted with Indian defence veterans residing in Australia, further strengthening the longstanding ties with the veteran community.
This visit has revitalized India-Australia defence relations, reinforcing professional connections at senior leadership levels and demonstrating the shared commitment of both nations to contribute to peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
