India, Sri Lanka navies push deeper maritime security, training cooperation

India and Sri Lanka are looking to deepen cooperation on maritime security, joint operations and military training as Sri Lankan Navy Commander Vice Admiral Damian Fernando held a series of high-level meetings with India's defence leadership in New Delhi on Thursday.

Fernando, who is visiting India from August 26 to 29, met Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and senior military officials as the two neighbours reviewed their expanding defence partnership in the Indian Ocean Region. The visit is Fernando's first official overseas engagement since taking charge as the 27th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy on July 1. He was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour at South Block before holding talks with Swaminathan. Earlier, the Sri Lankan commander laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in tribute to fallen soldiers.

Maritime security in focus

Discussions between the two naval chiefs covered joint operations, capacity building, training programmes and measures aimed at strengthening maritime security.

The Indian Navy said the engagement was intended to build on longstanding institutional links between the two forces while improving their ability to work together in the strategically important Indian Ocean.

Fernando also met Chief of Defence Staff General N S Raja Subramani, with the two sides reviewing existing defence cooperation and identifying opportunities for expanded joint training and capacity enhancement.

Regional security developments also figured in the discussions, with the Integrated Defence Staff saying the talks were aimed at further strengthening the India-Sri Lanka strategic partnership.

The Sri Lankan commander separately called on Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit. The Indian Air Force said the interaction focused on improving operational cooperation and interoperability between the two countries.

Defence projects reviewed

During Fernando's meeting with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, the two sides took stock of projects and activities being pursued under the bilateral defence cooperation plan.

They agreed to continue expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest, reflecting the broader effort by New Delhi and Colombo to maintain close security coordination.

Fernando is also expected to interact with representatives of India's defence industry during the visit, opening discussions on possible areas of industrial cooperation and collaboration.

The engagement assumes significance as India seeks to strengthen security partnerships with neighbouring Indian Ocean countries under its MAHASAGAR vision, which places emphasis on regional stability, maritime connectivity and cooperative security.

Sri Lanka occupies a strategically important position astride major Indian Ocean shipping routes, making maritime coordination between the two countries particularly significant for surveillance, search and rescue, disaster response and other security challenges.

Kochi visit to boost training ties

Fernando will travel to Kochi as part of the second leg of his visit, where he will visit Indian Navy training institutions and the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command.

The programme is expected to focus on strengthening professional exchanges and institutional training links between personnel of the two navies.

Fernando himself has longstanding links with Indian naval training institutions. He specialised in gunnery and missiles at INS Dronacharya and was adjudged the “Best All Round Officer” during his training.

India and Sri Lanka have maintained extensive naval engagement through training, exercises, ship visits and operational exchanges.

The latest round of talks is expected to widen that cooperation, particularly in maritime security and capacity building, as both countries seek closer coordination in addressing emerging challenges across the Indian Ocean Region.