Army chief visiting Algeria in India's Africa outreach

NEW DELHI: Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi is now headed for Algeria to boost the bilateral defence engagement with the country, as part of the ongoing overall outreach to Africa where China has made deep strategic inroads.

General Dwivedi's visit from Aug 25-28 aims at reinforcing defence and security engagement between India and Algeria, with a focus on bolstering army-to-army cooperation, sharing perspectives on regional and global security challenges, and exploring avenues for defence industrial collaboration, officials said.

India views Algeria as a natural partner in its outreach to Africa and the Mediterranean, given its pivotal role as a gateway to the Maghreb-Sahel-Mediterranean region. President Droupadi Murmu and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan had also visited the north African country in Oct-Nov last year.

"Indian defence industries showcased their capabilities at a defence seminar in Algiers from July 30 to Aug 1, laying the foundation for defence industry and technology collaboration," an official said.

In his first overseas visit after India conducted Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, the Army chief is slated to hold meetings with senior Algerian leadership, including General Said Chanegriha, who is the minister delegate to the minister of national defence and chief of staff of the People's National Army, as well as Lieutenant General Mostefa Smaali, commander of land forces.

"General Dwivedi's visit is expected to further deepen the ties between both nations. He will also share India's strategic vision of zero tolerance for terrorism," the official said.