Army chief in South Korea to boost defence cooperation

In a significant effort to enhance defense collaboration between India and South Korea, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Manoj Pande embarked on an official visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) from November 20 to 23. Throughout his stay, General Pande engaged in a series of high-level discussions with the ROK military leadership and toured key military establishments, reaffirming the robust bilateral relationship between the two countries.

A noteworthy aspect of the visit included General Pande meetings with senior military leaders of ROK, such as Chief of Staff of the ROK Army, General Park An-su, and Deputy Commander of the ROK Combined Forces Command, General Kim Seung-kyum. These interactions provided a platform to exchange perspectives on the regional security landscape and explore avenues for further strengthening bilateral defense cooperation.

The visit extended to the Joint Security Area (JSA) and Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), two strategically sensitive zones along the Korean Peninsula. General Pande received briefings on the security dynamics of the region, gaining firsthand insights into the challenges and intricacies involved in maintaining peace and stability in the area.

Acknowledging the escalating significance of cybersecurity in contemporary warfare, General Pande also visited the ROK Cyber Command. During this visit, he was briefed on the latest advancements in cyber defense and the ROK military strategies for countering increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. This exchange of expertise is poised to significantly contribute to bolstering the cybersecurity capabilities of both nations.

General Pande visit to South Korea underscores the deepening strategic partnership between India and ROK. Through the reinforcement of defense ties and the cultivation of mutual understanding, the two nations are collaboratively addressing shared security challenges and actively promoting peace and stability in the broader region.