During its stay in the harbour, INS Delhi engaged in various interactions and activities with personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN). Cross training sessions on topics of mutual interest were conducted, strengthening the bond between the two naval forces. Additionally, a joint clean-up drive was carried out at Crow Island beach by the crew of INS Delhi and SLN personnel.
As part of the visit, INS Delhi organized a familiarization tour onboard for over 200 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets and 500 local visitors. The ship’s Commanding Officer also held discussions with Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva, the Commander of the Western Naval Area (COMWEST), and paid homage to the Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) operations in Sri Lanka from 1987 to 1991 by laying a wreath at the IPKF memorial.
Highlighting India’s ‘Aarogya Maitri’ initiative to provide essential medical supplies to friendly countries, Shri Gopal Baglay, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, presented the state-of-the-art Arogya Maitri Cube to the Hon’ble Speaker of the Sri Lanka Parliament. These medical cubes have been developed under the Project BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri).
The reception onboard INS Delhi, where the Arogya Maitri Cube was presented, was attended by several senior government officials, including the Minister for Ports, Shipping & Aviation, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Defence, and all three Service Chiefs.
The visit was capped off with a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) at sea off Colombo between INS Delhi and SLN ship Vijayabahu, further enhancing maritime cooperation and interoperability between the two navies.