In a first, Chief of Army Staff leaves for UAE, Saudi Arabia on a 6-day visit

• This is the first time an Indian Army Chief is visiting the UAE and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• General Naravane will be meeting his counterparts and senior military leadership of these countries

New Delhi: (Defence News) The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General MM Naravane has left a visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 09 to 14 December 2020. During the visit, he will be meeting his counterparts and senior military leadership of these countries. The visit is historic in the sense that it will be the first time an Indian Army Chief is visiting the UAE and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Army Chief is visiting the UAE from December 09-10, 2020. General Naravane is scheduled to call on senior military officials where he will discuss avenues for enhancing India-UAE defence relations.

General Naravane's historic visit comes at a time when the Gulf region is in the course of significant developments that will redefine the region's relationship with many countries. Pertinent to mention here the normalisation of Israel's relations with several Arab countries. The recent assassination of Iran's top nuclear weapons scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh has thrown the region into the web of uncertainties.

ALSO READ: IAF successfully test-fires BDL manufactured Akash Missiles

After UAE the CoAS will travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the second leg of his tour from December 13-14, 2020. Gen Narawane will take forward the excellent defence cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and India through multiple meetings with senior functionaries of the security establishment and exchange views on various defence-related issues. The Army Chief will visit the Headquarters of Royal Saudi Land Force, the Joint Force Command Headquarters and King Abdul Aziz Military Academy. The Army Chief is also scheduled to visit the National Defence University and address the students and faculty at the institution.

(PSU Watch– India's Business News centre that places the spotlight on PSUs, Bureaucracy, Defence and Public Policy is now on Telegram. Join PSU Watch Channel in your Telegram and stay updated)