India and Sri Lanka have renewed their focus on closer maritime and defence cooperation following the maiden overseas visit of Sri Lanka Navy Commander Vice Admiral Damian Fernando to India.
Vice Admiral Fernando visited India from August 26 to 29 at the invitation of the Indian Navy. The visit provided an opportunity for both sides to review existing defence cooperation and explore new areas of collaboration, particularly in maritime security, naval training and capacity building.
During his stay in New Delhi, the Sri Lankan Navy chief met Indian Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan. Their discussions covered strengthening professional ties between the two navies, expanding training opportunities and enhancing cooperation to address common maritime-security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.
Vice Admiral Fernando also held meetings with senior Indian defence officials, including Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit. The discussions included ongoing bilateral defence activities and opportunities for further cooperation.
An important part of the visit was the Sri Lankan Navy chief’s engagement with India’s Southern Naval Command in Kochi. He met Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena to discuss naval training exchanges and capacity-building programmes.
Vice Admiral Fernando also visited Indian Navy training establishments and interacted with Sri Lankan personnel undergoing training in India. His visit to INS Dronacharya was particularly significant as he had previously completed a Long Gunnery Specialization course there in 2002.
The visit also included interaction with representatives of India’s defence industry, providing an opportunity to examine potential areas for greater defence cooperation and capability development.
India and Sri Lanka share important maritime interests because of their geographical proximity and strategic location in the Indian Ocean. Regular naval exercises, training exchanges and professional interactions have helped strengthen the relationship between their armed forces.
Vice Admiral Fernando’s visit further reinforces these longstanding ties and demonstrates the shared interest of both countries in maintaining a secure and stable maritime environment. The latest engagement is expected to provide additional momentum to India-Sri Lanka naval cooperation in the coming years.