September 22, Colombo (LNW): Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff of India, has arrived in Sri Lanka on a four-day official visit, scheduled from September 22 to 25.
The visit, part of ongoing defence diplomacy between the two neighbours, reflects a renewed commitment to deepen cooperation in maritime security, training, and strategic collaboration.
According to a statement issued by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence, Admiral Tripathi is expected to hold high-level meetings with Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, and the heads of Sri Lanka’s armed forces.
Discussions will focus on enhancing operational synergy between the two countries’ navies, improving capacity-building frameworks, and identifying new areas for collaboration, particularly in the context of emerging maritime threats and regional challenges.
A key highlight of the visit includes Admiral Tripathi’s participation in the 12th Galle Dialogue, an annual international maritime conference hosted in Colombo. This year’s theme — “Maritime Outlook of the Indian Ocean under Changing Dynamics” — resonates strongly with the evolving security landscape in the region, where both India and Sri Lanka have shared strategic interests.
The Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy maintain a robust relationship, reinforced through bilateral engagements such as the Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise (SLINEX), Passage Exercises, Annual Defence Dialogues, and staff-level talks. Regular cooperation in hydrography, professional exchanges, and training has further solidified the partnership.
Multilateral forums such as the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, MILAN, the Goa Maritime Conclave, and the Colombo Security Conclave also serve as important platforms where the two navies collaborate in addressing transnational maritime concerns.
In a symbolic gesture of this enduring partnership, the Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Satpura arrived in Colombo on Sunday. The vessel was received by Sri Lanka Navy personnel with ceremonial honours, marking yet another milestone in the deepening of bilateral naval ties.
During its stay, INS Satpura’s crew will engage in a range of joint activities with their Sri Lankan counterparts, including professional dialogues, maritime rescue and protection drills, yoga sessions, and friendly sporting events. The ship’s Commanding Officer also held talks with Rear Admiral S.J. Kumara, Commander of the Western Naval Area, focusing on enhancing operational collaboration and joint readiness.
This visit falls under the broader framework of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the ‘MAHASAGAR’ initiative, both of which prioritise maritime security, economic growth, and regional stability through sustained cooperation with littoral states in the Indian Ocean Region.
With civilisational ties dating back over two millennia, India and Sri Lanka continue to strengthen a bilateral relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to ensuring peace, safety, and prosperity across the Indian Ocean.
