General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Indian Army, is on a four-day official visit to Bhutan to further deepen the long-standing defence cooperation and strategic partnership between the two nations.
On 01 July 2025, the Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, called on His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, and His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the former King and father of the reigning monarch. He also held substantive discussions with Lieutenant General Batoo Tshering, Chief Operations Officer of the Royal Bhutan Army, reaffirming the shared commitment to regional security and longstanding bilateral cooperation. Additionally, General Dwivedi interacted with senior officials of the Indian Embassy.
On 02 July, General Dwivedi visited the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT), and Project DANTAK. He also visited the Wangchuk Lo Dzong Military Hospital and later engaged with instructors and students at the Wangchuk Lo Dzong Military School, acknowledging the importance of capacity-building and military education in the bilateral relationship.
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During the visit, the COAS also visited Jamtsholing Gyaltsen Academy at Tashichhoeling in Samtse, where he was apprised of Bhutan’s Gyalsung National Service programme. He interacted with the instructors and received a detailed briefing on the academy’s training framework, infrastructure, and other key functional aspects.
The visit underscores the enduring friendship between India and Bhutan and reaffirms India’s steadfast support to a close and trusted neighbour.
