The upcoming visit of the Australian Army Chief to India is being seen as a rekindling of old camaraderie, as he trained alongside his Indian counterpart, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, at the United States Army War College in 2015.
In a statement issued here, the Army spokesperson described the meeting as a moment of “forging a professional bond that has matured alongside their respective careers.”
“The shared academic background not only provides a strong foundation for mutual trust but also enables a deeper strategic understanding, paving the way for more meaningful cooperation between the two armies,” the statement said.
For decades, India’s premier military institutions including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), National Defence Academy (NDA), Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), and National Defence College (NDC) — have quietly nurtured an influential network of global military leaders.
These academies have not only trained Indian officers but also welcomed hundreds from friendly foreign countries (FFCs), many of whom have gone on to lead their own armed forces.
Today, this alumni network spans continents and commands — from South Asia to Africa, from Southeast Asia to Oceania. Sri Lanka, for instance, boasts eight senior officers, including current and former Army Chiefs, who trained in India. Nepal and Bangladesh each have between six and nine senior officers with similar credentials.
Similarly, Malaysia, Bhutan, Nigeria, and even Australia have seen their top military brass pass through the portals of Indian institutions. The statement also highlighted that the Sri Lankan Army Chief is an alumnus of both the IMA and the School of Artillery, while Sri Lanka’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is a graduate of the NDC.
The exchange has never been one-sided. Indian military leaders have also sharpened their strategic thinking abroad — at institutions such as the U.S. Army War College, the UK’s Royal College of Defence Studies, and France’s École de Guerre.
Iconic figures like Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw attended the UK’s Imperial Defence College. More recently, General Upendra Dwivedi, the current Indian Army Chief, graduated from the U.S. Army War College.
Recognizing the long-term value of these ties, the Indian Army has been formalizing efforts to keep alumni connected. Initiatives like Alumni Connect are actively maintained through digital platforms, reunions, and professional collaborations.
Think tanks such as the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) play a vital role, supported by initiatives like a renewed five-year MoU with the Australian Army Research Centre (AARC). Platforms like the upcoming Friends for Life digital portal aim to ensure these relationships flourish long after the cadets have become commanders.
“As India aspires to play a greater role in regional and global security architectures — from the Indo-Pacific to UN peacekeeping — the quiet, enduring influence of these personal bonds will remain an indispensable tool of military diplomacy,” the Army stated.
“In the language of soldiers, trust built in fatigues lasts a lifetime; in the language of diplomacy, it often lasts even longer,” the statement concluded.