General Rawat India-Australia Young Defence Officers’ Exchange Programme has been officially launched.
Australia’s High Commissioner to India, the Hon. Barry O’Farrell tweeted: “In recognition of the contributions of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, the Australian and Indian governments announced an Australia-India Young Defence Officers’ Exchange Programme named in his honour.”
During the India-Australia virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison, the two leaders had agreed to establish a young defence officer exchange programme.
After the summit, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, India’s Foreign Secretary said:
“Defence and Security is one of the major areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries that have now joined hands to set up General Bipin Rawat Young Defence Officers Exchange Programme.
This will enable younger officers in both countries to familiarise themselves with the other country and increase service to service contacts between the two nations.”
The exchange programme is named after India’s first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, who was killed in a helicopter crash in December 2021.
Gen. Rawat was also credited with reducing insurgency on India’s northeastern frontier. He was conferred Padma Vibhhushan.
The exchange programme was announced on the same day when late Gen. Rawat was conferred with India’s second-highest civilian award.
It is expected that this exchange programme will enhance professional contacts on both sides and provide operational experience to young officers.