Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan visited the historic Victoria Barracks in Melbourne as part of his four-day tour to Australia, aimed at strengthening defence ties between the two nations.
The Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) shared glimpses of his visit on social media platform X, highlighting the significance of his tour.
“Strengthening Defence Collaboration!” HQ IDS posted. “General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff CDS India, toured the historic Victoria Barracks, a landmark military facility known for its rich heritage and role in shaping strategic military planning and defence administration. CDS was briefed by Brigadier Sean Parkes, Deputy G7 Army, on key strategic aspects of the Australian Army. The visit provided insights into the Australian Army’s operational framework and command structures.”
Earlier, General Chauhan was hosted by Australia’s Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral David Johnston AC RAN, in Canberra. Admiral Johnston reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to deepening defence cooperation with India to enhance interoperability, strengthen people-to-people ties, and promote regional security.
According to the Australian government, General Chauhan’s visit included discussions with senior Defence officials on practical steps to achieve the long-term vision of a strong security partnership between the two nations.
This marks the first visit of India’s Chief of Defence Staff to Australia, underscoring the growing defence collaboration between the two countries. The Australian government described India as a “top-tier security partner.”
“It was a pleasure to welcome General Chauhan on his first official visit to Canberra. His visit highlights the value of our defence partnership with India,” Admiral Johnston said.
“We are committed to working closely with our Indian partners to enhance interoperability, strengthen people-to-people links, and further cooperation with key partners to promote regional stability and security,” he added.
