Indian Army chief General Bikram Singh is on a four-day visit to Sri Lanka starting Wednesday, seeking further strengthening of military ties between the two countries.

The Indian Army chief's visit to the island nation assumes special importance in light of ongoing defence cooperation between the two nations.

A formal Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA), which is in discussion since 2003, is still one of the unfinished agendas between Colombo and New Delhi. However, top Defence sources in both the countries claim that most aspects of DCA have been agreed upon, but domestic compulsions on either side have been preventing the final signing of the pact.

During the four-day official visit, Singh is scheduled to hold meetings with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and other top political as well as military dignitaries.

Before his return on Saturday, the Indian Army chief will also review the passing out parade in one of the island nation's Military Training Academy.

The last visit by a chief of the Indian Army to Sri Lanka was in September 2010.

After becoming the chief of the India Army on June 1 this year, Mr. Singh has paid visits to Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan, laying emphasis on improving military ties with the countries that have common borders with India.