IAF chief meets international delegates to enhance bilateral co-operation at Chiefs of Air Staff Conclave

Bengaluru, Feb 4: The Chiefs of Air Staff Conclave began at Aero India 2021 at Air Force Station, Yelahanka on Wednesday. Chiefs of Air Staff (CAS) of more than 24 countries are attending the conclave physically and 16 virtually. The theme of the two-day event is “Leveraging Aerospace Power for Security and Stability”.

 

According to Indian Air Force (IAF), Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria met Staff Major General Pilot Ibrahim Naser Mohammed Al Alawi, Cdr, UAE Air Force & Air Defence in AI-21. Both Chiefs noted the significant progress made in bilateral cooperation & exchanges between the two Air Forces.

 

The IAF chief also met Lt Gen Mohd Shoaib Elyaskhel, Vice Chief of General Staff (Air) of Afghanistan. "Remembering strong historical bonds & cultural ties between the two sides, they discussed ways to further strengthen Indo-Afghan strategic partnership," IAF tweeted.

 

Apart from them, he discussed issues with Aviation Lt Gen Nurlan Ormanbetov, C-in-C, Air Defence Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The IAF said that measures to further strengthen the defence cooperation and training exchanges were discussed by the Chiefs.

 

With Lt Gen Issameldin Saeid Koko Abdalrrahman, Commander of Air Force, Sudan, the IAF chief discussed measures to enhance bilateral cooperation and training mechanisms between the two Air Forces.

 

Earlier in his opening remarks, the IAF chief pointed out that amid the COVID-19 pandemic, rising mistrust and geopolitical tensions have reinforced the need for mature and balanced cooperation at the international level. He said conclaves such as the current one, provide an opportunity to discuss current and emerging security challenges and enhance cooperation among the air forces.