Rajnath Singh Begins Three-Day Sri Lanka Visit To Strengthen Defence Ties

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Colombo on Tuesday, September 8, for a three-day official visit to Sri Lanka aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in defence, maritime affairs and regional security.

Singh, who will remain in Sri Lanka until September 10, is leading a high-level delegation comprising senior officials from the Defence and External Affairs ministries. He is scheduled to hold consultations with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha, besides interacting with the Indian diaspora in Colombo.

The visit is particularly significant as it is the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Sri Lanka in 38 years. The last such visit was made by K.C. Pant in 1988. Singh was received at Bandaranaike International Airport by Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Defence Maj Gen (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara and Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha.

The two sides are expected to advance their defence partnership through three new MoUs covering cooperation between the two countries’ National Cadet Corps, defence colleges and maintenance support for Sri Lanka’s air-defence systems. India is expected to provide free maintenance support for the remaining six of 24 L70 air-defence guns supplied to Sri Lanka between 2000 and 2006.

The talks will also review the India-Sri Lanka Defence Cooperation MoU signed during President Dissanayake’s visit to India in April 2025. The broader partnership includes military training, capacity building and maritime cooperation.

Coinciding with Singh’s visit, Indian Navy’s INS Udaygiri, an indigenous stealth guided-missile frigate, arrived at Colombo port. Sri Lankan naval personnel will undertake capability familiarisation, knowledge sharing and onboard training, while the crew will participate in goodwill activities and cultural visits.

India regards Sri Lanka as an important partner under its Neighbourhood First policy and MAHASAGAR vision. New Delhi’s assistance during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis and its response to Cyclone Ditwah in 2025 have further strengthened bilateral ties.