Army Chief’s Visit to Algeria Strengthens Ties
New Delhi, August 25, 2025: General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), has embarked on a four-day official visit to Algeria from 25 to 28 August 2025. The visit underscores India’s growing focus on deepening defence and security cooperation with Africa’s largest nation.
Strengthening Bilateral Defence Relations
The visit comes soon after the President of India and the Chief of Defence Staff visited Algeria, signaling the importance New Delhi places on its relations with Algiers. General Dwivedi’s agenda includes high-level meetings with senior Algerian leaders such as General Saïd Chanegriha, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defence and Chief of Staff of the People’s National Army, and Lieutenant General Mostefa Smaali, Commander of Land Forces.
India and Algeria share historic ties dating back to the Non-Aligned Movement. The current visit aims to reinforce Army-to-Army cooperation, exchange views on regional and global security challenges, and expand collaboration in defence industries.
Focus on Defence Industrial Collaboration
As a precursor to the visit, Indian defence industries showcased their capabilities at a Defence Seminar in Algiers from 30 July to 01 August 2025. The event provided a platform to highlight India’s growing defence manufacturing sector under the Make in India initiative. The COAS visit is expected to translate these dialogues into concrete opportunities for defence technology cooperation and joint projects.
Symbolic Visits and Military Engagements
General Dwivedi will also visit key Algerian military institutions such as the School of Command and Major Staff at Tamentfoust and the Cherchell Military Academy. Additionally, he will pay homage at the iconic Martyrs Memorial in Algiers, a site of great historical significance for Algeria’s independence struggle.
Strategic Importance of Algeria for India
Located in North Africa and overlooking the Mediterranean, Algeria plays a crucial role in regional stability and security. By enhancing defence ties with Algeria, India is not only reinforcing its presence in Africa but also expanding strategic cooperation in regions that link the Mediterranean, Africa, and West Asia.
The visit is expected to provide momentum to shared security interests and create pathways for stronger partnerships in peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and defence technology transfer.
A Step Towards Deeper Partnerships
This high-level military engagement reaffirms the government’s vision of building lasting global defence partnerships. It also aligns with India’s broader India–Africa engagement strategy, where defence cooperation forms an important pillar. The COAS visit is anticipated to not only deepen the historic ties between India and Algeria but also pave the way for a stronger and more secure future.
