COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — India and Sri Lanka concluded the 12th edition of their bilateral naval exercise Sunday in Colombo, reaffirming cooperation on maritime security in the Indian Ocean at a time of growing regional competition.
The four-day drill, known as SLINEX-25, brought together Indian Navy ships INS Jyoti and INS Rana with Sri Lankan vessels SLNS Gajabahu and SLNS Vijayabahu. The exercise included harbor activities from Aug. 14-16 and sea operations on Aug. 17-18, the Indian Navy said.
During their stay in Colombo, the commanding officers of the Indian ships met Rear Admiral Chandima Silva, commander of Sri Lanka’s Western Naval Area, to discuss ways to strengthen ties. The crews also paid tribute at the Indian Peace Keeping Force memorial, honoring Indian soldiers who died during peacekeeping operations in Sri Lanka from 1987 to 1990.
The ships hosted visits from Sri Lankan naval personnel, government officials, students, and members of the Indian community, providing an opportunity to explore Indian naval technology and traditions.
At sea, the two navies conducted advanced drills, including gunnery firing, communication protocols, navigation exercises, fueling operations, and visit, board, search, and seizure maneuvers. Officials stated that the training enhanced interoperability and reinforced the commitment of both nations to maritime stability.
India and Sri Lanka, separated by just 30 kilometers of water at their narrowest point, have steadily expanded military cooperation in recent years, particularly in the maritime domain. India has supplied patrol vessels, radar systems, and training to Sri Lanka’s navy, while also providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief assistance during crises such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2022 economic collapse.
The partnership comes as Sri Lanka has sought to balance ties between India and China, both of which have strategic interests in the Indian Ocean. Beijing has financed major infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka, including the Hambantota port. At the same time, New Delhi has emphasized its “Security and Growth for All in the Region” (SAGAR) policy to position itself as a key security partner.
The Indian Navy stated that SLINEX-25 demonstrated that the two countries remain committed to safeguarding their shared waters against piracy, trafficking, and other threats.
