New Delhi: Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), has commenced a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka from September 22 to 25, the Ministry of Defence announced.
During the visit, Admiral Tripathi is scheduled to meet with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, as well as the heads of Sri Lanka’s armed forces and other senior government officials. Discussions will focus on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation, particularly in the areas of maritime security, capacity building, training, and joint initiatives.
Admiral Tripathi will also participate in the 12th edition of the Galle Dialogue 2025 – International Maritime Conference in Colombo, centered on the theme “Maritime Outlook of the Indian Ocean under Changing Dynamics.”
The Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy maintain robust ties through ongoing interactions, including the Annual Defence Dialogue, Staff Talks, joint exercises like SLINEX, Passage Exercises, hydrography cooperation, and training exchanges. Both navies also engage in multilateral forums such as the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, MILAN, Goa Maritime Conclave, Galle Dialogue, and the Colombo Security Conclave.
The CNS’s engagements are aligned with India’s MAHASAGAR initiative, aiming to deepen maritime cooperation and promote shared strategic interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The visit underscores the strong, time-tested ties between India and Sri Lanka, founded on mutual respect, maritime trust, and a common vision for regional peace and stability.
In a related development, INS Satpura, an indigenously built Indian Navy stealth frigate, arrived in Colombo on Sunday and received a warm welcome from the Sri Lanka Navy. The vessel is slated to conduct joint drills, professional exchanges, yoga sessions, and sports events with its Sri Lankan counterparts.
The ship’s Commanding Officer also met with Rear Admiral SJ Kumara, Commander of the Western Naval Area, to discuss boosting bilateral naval cooperation and operational synergy—strengthening the partnership under India’s Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR initiatives.
India and Sri Lanka share a civilizational bond spanning over 2,500 years. Sri Lanka holds a pivotal position in India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
