New Delhi, 08 September (H.S.): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Colombo on Tuesday for an official visit to Sri Lanka from September 8 to 10. He was warmly received at Bandaranaike International Airport by Sri Lanka’s Deputy Defence Minister Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha. The defence minister was accorded a warm and traditional welcome by the Sri Lankan side, reflecting the close and longstanding ties between India and Sri Lanka.

Rajnath Singh departed from New Delhi for Sri Lanka this morning on a three-day visit. Leading a high-level delegation, the Defence Minister will hold discussions with Sri Lanka’s senior leadership on a range of issues aimed at further strengthening the traditionally close and friendly bilateral relationship in areas of mutual interest, including a robust maritime and defence partnership. The visit is intended to further consolidate bilateral defence cooperation and maritime security ties between India and Sri Lanka.

Singh is scheduled to meet Sri Lankan President and Defence Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha. He will also interact with members of the Indian diaspora in Colombo. Senior officials from the Ministries of Defence and External Affairs will accompany him during the high-level visit. The visit is also expected to include a review of the full and timely implementation of the India-Sri Lanka Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Colombo on April 5, 2025.

The five-year agreement between India and Sri Lanka addresses defence cooperation as well as shared security concerns in the Indian Ocean. It covers several areas, including enhanced joint military exercises, capacity building, cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and increased port calls by naval vessels of both countries. It also provides for exploring opportunities for cooperation in the defence industry.

The agreement is valid for five years and may be terminated by either side by giving three months’ prior notice. It can also be extended for an additional period of three years through mutual agreement.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar