India desires to engage as Vishwa-Bandhu: CDS

New Delhi, Nov 5 (Representative) Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has said that in today’s complex geopolitical construct, India understands its responsibilities and desires to engage as a ‘Vishwa-Bandhu’—a reliable partner for the world.Calling for peaceful resolution of global conflicts, the CDS said, “India always supports peaceful resolution to global conflicts. India has re-established its Defence Wing in Algeria and welcomes the re-opening of Defence Wing of Algeria in India.”Gen Chauhan had led a high-ranking Indian military delegation to Algeria from October 31 to November 3, an official statement said. The visit was part of a broader endeavour to strengthen India-Algeria relations, which have seen increasing cooperation in recent years, particularly in the areas of trade, education, technology, and defence.

He highlighted the agreement in the field of space sciences and the major strides taken by India in technology development.Gen Chauhan added that the Indian Armed Forces are undergoing transformation and are ready to share their experiences with the People’s National Army of Algeria. He emphasised India’s increasing defence production capability under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make for the World’ programmes.In a significant step, Gen Anil Chauhan and his counterpart, General of Army Said Chanegriha, Chief of Staff of the Algerian People’s National Army, signed a milestone memorandum in Defence cooperation between India and Algeria. This Memorandum represents not only a step forward in bilateral military cooperation but also lays down the foundation for long-term collaboration across a variety of sectors.

Gen Chauhan during his visit, interacted with the Director of the Higher War College and addressed senior officers of the People’s National Army. He underscored the shared history of both nations, fostering a bond based on similar values and principles. CDS highlighted the dividends of geography for both Algeria and India in their global aspirations, stating, “The core strategic outlook of a nation is shaped by its geography and historical experience.”. India and Algeria share a commitment to self-determination, respect for sovereignty, and mutual support in multilateral domains. As regional leaders in South Asia and North Africa, both countries bring unique strategic advantages to the partnership, contributing to a more balanced and multipolar global order. The high level visit complements the recently concluded visit by the President of India to Algeria, underscoring the strong political will on both sides to deepen diplomatic, military, and strategic cooperation.