Sri Lanka, Jan. 4 -- General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka from January 5 to 8 as part of India's continued engagement to strengthen defence cooperation and military-to-military ties with friendly foreign countries.

"The visit of the Chief of the Army Staff to the UAE and Sri Lanka reaffirms India's commitment to strengthening defence cooperation, fostering mutual trust, and enhancing interoperability with friendly nations in the Indian Ocean Region and West Asia," the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday.

The visit will begin with the COAS's engagements in the United Arab Emirates from January 5 to 6. On arrival, General Dwivedi will be accorded a Guard of Honour ...