The 13th edition of the staff talks between the Indian and Sri Lankan Navies concluded on Wednesday in Colombo, marking another step in strengthening bilateral defence ties. According to the Indian Navy, the discussions focused on enhancing existing engagements, expanding cooperation, and pursuing joint initiatives to boost maritime security across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The talks were co-chaired by Rear Admiral Srinivas Maddula, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Foreign Cooperation and Intelligence), and Rear Admiral Ruwan Rupasena, Director General of Training for the Sri Lankan Navy. India and Sri Lanka maintain a strong defence partnership based on close military ties and shared security concerns in the region, with priorities including maritime domain awareness, counter-piracy, and humanitarian assistance. The Indian Navy highlighted these discussions on X, noting their importance amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.

Defence cooperation extends beyond naval engagements, encompassing military training, joint exercises, defence equipment supply, high-level visits, and goodwill port calls by both countries’ naval and coast guard vessels. These activities underline a strategic alignment to protect shared maritime interests. Complementing these talks, on 8 January, India’s Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, met in Colombo with Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), and Secretary of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd). Their discussions focused on strengthening military-to-military ties, expanding bilateral defence cooperation, and addressing regional geostrategic challenges.

These meetings built on the India-Sri Lanka Army-to-Army Staff Talks held earlier at the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff in New Delhi, where both sides explored ways to enhance interoperability and deepen collaboration. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to a robust bilateral relationship contributing to regional security.

A key aspect of General Dwivedi’s visit was laying a wreath at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial in Colombo, honoring Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during Operation Pawan in the late 1980s—symbolizing respect for shared history and commitment to peace. These recent engagements occur amid growing maritime sensitivities in the IOR, including Chinese naval presence, illegal fishing, and climate-related threats. The talks reflect India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, positioning it as a reliable security partner for Sri Lanka, particularly in areas like Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).

These discussions are expected to result in practical initiatives such as increased joint naval patrols, expanded training exchanges, and potential defence equipment transfers. This steady progression in India-Sri Lanka defence cooperation strengthens bilateral ties and supports a rules-based order in the IOR, countering external pressures and promoting collective resilience.