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6 clusters · 42 sources · 29 days · First seen · Last updated

India-Sri Lanka defence and maritime cooperation

Overview

India and Sri Lanka are actively engaging in high-level discussions to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. In late August 2026, Sri Lanka Navy Commander Vice Admiral Damian Fernando conducted a three-day official visit to New Delhi to discuss the Bilateral Defence Cooperation Plan and capacity-building initiatives. On September 8, 2026, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commenced a three-day official visit to Sri Lanka, leading a high-level delegation to implement the India-Sri Lanka Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding signed in April 2025. This marks the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister to the island nation in nearly 38 years. During his visit, Singh met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo. The leaders reaffirmed commitments to regional security, peace, and maritime cooperation. President Dissanayake provided assurances that Sri Lankan territory would not be used for activities “detrimental to India's security interests.” The visit resulted in the signing of three agreements to enhance defence cooperation, specifically including the modernization of six L70 air-defence guns for the Sri Lankan Air Force and cooperation between their respective National Cadet Corps and National Defence Colleges. India also provided military equipment, including radar spares for the Sri Lankan Air Force and components for the Sri Lankan Navy vessel Sayura. Building on these diplomatic efforts, the two nations commenced the 13th edition of their bilateral naval exercise, SLINEX 26, in Visakhapatnam from September 17 to 21, 2026. The exercise involved the Sri Lanka Navy ship SLNS Sindurala and the Indian Navy vessels INS Kavaratti and INS Jyoti. The engagement included a Harbour Phase for professional interaction and a Sea Phase designed to enhance operational synergy and interoperability, aligning with India’s MAHASAGAR vision for an inclusive maritime environment.

Entities

India · Sri Lanka · Anura Kumara Dissanayake · Rajnath Singh · Indian Navy

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. [INTERNATIONAL] 4 sources
    India and Sri Lanka conclude SLINEX-26 naval exercise

    The 13th edition of the SLINEX-26 bilateral maritime exercise between India and Sri Lanka concluded in Visakhapatnam, focusing on maritime security and joint naval operations.

  2. [INTERNATIONAL] 13 sources
    India conducts naval exercises in Philippines and with Sri Lanka

    India is advancing regional maritime security through naval deployments in the Philippines for ADMM-Plus and conducting the 13th SLINEX-26 bilateral exercise with Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam.

  3. [INTERNATIONAL] 14 sources
    India and Sri Lanka strengthen defence and maritime ties

    Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Sri Lanka to strengthen defence and maritime ties, signing three MoUs including air-defence gun upgrades and pledging continued support for regional security.

  4. [INTERNATIONAL] 23 sources
    Rajnath Singh begins three-day visit to Sri Lanka to boost defence ties

    Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is on a three-day visit to Sri Lanka to strengthen bilateral defence and maritime security cooperation, the first such visit by an Indian Defence Minister in 38 years.

  5. [INTERNATIONAL] 5 sources
    India and Sri Lanka discuss maritime security cooperation

    Sri Lanka Navy Commander Vice Admiral Damian Fernando visited New Delhi to discuss maritime security and defence cooperation with Indian officials to bolster stability in the Indian Ocean Region.

  6. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Rajnath Singh to visit Sri Lanka for defence talks

    Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Sri Lanka on September 9-10 to discuss maritime security and implement a five-year defence cooperation agreement.

Sources

affairscloud.com · asianlite.com · bharatshakti.in · bhaskarhindi.com · bhaskarlive.in · chennaionline.com · defence.in · defencestar.in · desitalkchicago.com · disabledperson.com · dtnext.in · enavabharat.com · english.gossiplankanews.com · expresspharma.in · freejobalert.com · frontpage.lk · hindi.business-standard.com · hurihaa.mv · indiandefensenews.in · indiastrategic.in · lankanewspapers.com · lankanewsweb.net · latestly.com · mangalorean.com · mulhiraajje.com · munsifdaily.com · navabharat.com · newindianexpress.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · newswire.lk · odishabytes.com · orissapost.com · psmnews.mv · punjabkesari.com · rajnathsingh.in · samacharnama.com · socialnews.xyz · sun.mv · tfipost.com · theindianpanorama.news · thepress.mv · tunisie-societe.com

This summary has been updated 14 times: see revision history