Press Release
Visit of General MM Naravane, Chief of Army Staff of India to ROK (27-30 December 2020)
General MM Naravane, Chief of Army Staff of India is on an official visit to ROK from December 27-30. This First-ever visit by an Indian Chief of Army Staff to ROK, is an indication of the fast growing strategic cooperation between India and ROK. The two countries elevated their ties to the level of Special Strategic Partnership in 2015. General Naravane began his official programme today by paying tribute to Korean war veterans at the National Cemetery. He also visited Korean War Memorial to pay tribute to those who gave their lives during the Korean War and honour the Indian 60th Parachute Field Ambulance Unit which had given medical assistance at that time.
General Naravane had useful meetings with ROK Defense Minister Suh Wook, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staffs General Won In-choul, and Defense Acquisition Program Administration Minister Kang Eun-ho, his counterpart General Nam Yeong-shin and President of Agency of Defense Development Nam Sae Kyu. During the discussions, both sides explored avenues for bilateral cooperation within the framework of ROK’s New Southern Policy and India’s Act East Policy. ROK leadership expressed its gratitude to India for the humanitarian assistance given by the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance during the Korean War. They also discussed upcoming high level exchanges, built on the exchanges that have taken place over the past two years. Both shared their experiences of tackling COVID-19 responses by their military personnel, and agreed to continue exchanges in UN Peace Keeping Operations. Both sides exchanged views on developments in the Korean peninsula as well as the Indo-Pacific, and agreed to intensify cooperation including through Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief(HADR) and anti- piracy cooperation. The two sides also agreed on the value of intensifying bilateral training exercises, educational exchanges and defense industries cooperation.
General Naravane is a decorated 4 star General and has earlier served as the 40th Vice Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Command and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Army Training Command. He had also served with the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka, and as Defence Attache at the Embassy of India in Myanmar.
