Army chief embarks on 4-day official visit to Bhutan

New Delhi, Jun 30: General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), embarked on a four-day official visit to Bhutan on Monday, aimed at further strengthening the close and longstanding defence cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

During the visit, General Dwivedi is scheduled to call on Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, and hold wide-ranging discussions with Lieutenant General Batoo Tshering, Chief Operations Officer of the Royal Bhutan Army. He will also interact with senior officials of the Indian Embassy in Bhutan, the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT), and officials associated with Project DANTAK, a key symbol of India-Bhutan cooperation in infrastructure and connectivity.

India and Bhutan share a special and enduring strategic partnership, anchored in mutual respect, trust, and shared security concerns. Defence cooperation is a key pillar of this bilateral relationship, exemplified by regular high-level exchanges, joint military training, capacity-building initiatives, and close coordination between the armed forces. IMTRAT, one of India’s oldest overseas military missions, has played a vital role in training Bhutanese personnel, while Project DANTAK has significantly contributed to Bhutan’s infrastructure development.