Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, began a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka with high-level engagements aimed at strengthening defence and maritime partnerships. On Tuesday, he met Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo, where discussions centred on enhancing naval cooperation, operational collaboration, and regional maritime security.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a long-standing naval partnership through deeper training exchanges, capacity-building initiatives, and joint participation in multilateral maritime platforms such as MILAN, the International Fleet Review, and the Admiral’s Cup Regatta.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya emphasised the need for collective regional efforts to secure the shared maritime domain. She highlighted priority areas including anti-narcotics operations, tackling illegal fishing, preventing marine pollution, and combating maritime terrorism. She also urged stronger collaboration in search and rescue operations and broader naval training initiatives.
Admiral Tripathi’s visit comes at a time when India has sharpened its strategic focus on the Indian Ocean Region, particularly in response to China’s expanding influence in Sri Lanka and neighbouring countries. During his trip, the Navy Chief held meetings with several senior Sri Lankan defence leaders, including Deputy Defence Minister Major General KP Aruna Jayasekera, Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Air Force Commander Air Marshal VB Edirisinghe, and Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo.
The Indian Navy noted that these talks reflected the shared resolve of both nations to deepen interoperability and expand cooperation across the services. Key areas of discussion included naval domain awareness, joint training exercises, and broader defence collaboration.
In a symbolic gesture, Admiral Tripathi laid a wreath at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial in Colombo, honouring Indian soldiers who served in Sri Lanka during the IPKF operations. The Navy described the tribute as a reminder of the sacrifices and history that form the foundation of bilateral relations.
He also addressed officers at Sri Lanka’s National Defence College, stressing the evolving nature of maritime threats and the importance of capability development, technological transformation, and regional cooperation. He cited Indo-Sri Lankan joint efforts in anti-piracy missions and narcotics interdiction as examples of effective collaboration.
Earlier, Admiral Tripathi hosted a reception aboard the Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Satpura, attended by senior Sri Lankan dignitaries, including Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara. The visit reaffirmed India’s dedication to regional stability and its commitment to fostering strong military-to-military ties in the Indian Ocean Region.
