Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in Colombo on Wednesday.
India and Sri Lanka inked MoUs on upgradation of six L70 legacy anti-aircraft guns for Sri Lankan Air Force during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s ongoing trip to Colombo.The upgradation of these air defence guns provided to the island nation under the grant from India will significantly strengthen the air defence architecture of its critical assets, said the Ministry of Defence in a statement. These air defence guns, of the 1960s vintage, which Indian Army has upgraded to act against low flying objects like unmanned systems, were earlier provided to the Sri Lanka Air Force by India.Two other MoUs were also signed to enforce academic co-operation between the National Defence Colleges of Sri Lanka and India, and cooperation between the National Cadet Corps of the two countries.Sri Lanka would never allow its territory to be used for activities inimical to India’s security interests, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reiterated when Rajnath Singh called on him on Wednesday, hinting at Chinese expansionist outreach in the Indo Pacific Region.President Dissanayake also recalled his interactions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Substantive discussionsThe two leaders held substantive discussions on issues covering the entire spectrum of the multi-faceted partnership between the two nations, characterised by traditionally warm relations and mutual trust, as per the MoD’s statement.The two sides reaffirmed that as civilisational twins, close neighbours, and maritime partners, India and Sri Lanka would continue to work together for their development and welfare of the people while working jointly to ensure the safety, security, peace, and prosperity of the region.Defence Minister Singh, in an address to a gathering comprising Sr Lankan Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara, Commanders of Sri Lankan Army, Navy and Air Force, stated secure sea lanes, freedom of navigation, respect for international law and unhindered maritime trade are pivotal for collective security & prosperity of the Indian Ocean Region.Strengthening partnershipHe stated that while India and Sri Lanka have upgraded their capabilities through a series of measures ranging from capacity building to joint exercises, there is a need to further strengthen the longstanding India-Sri Lanka defence and strategic partnership with special emphasis on maritime cooperation.He asserted that national security and economic growth cannot be viewed in isolation, as they are intrinsically linked to geography and security, emphasising that neither country can afford to remain indifferent to the developments in the region.“We need to devise and implement joint protocols, sharpen the skills, and share experiences to deal with emerging threats arising from the rapidly evolving global and regional dynamics. It needs to be a continuous process. We must develop new paradigms for a closer and stronger maritime partnership, which is the basis of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). ‘Mutual’ and ‘Holistic’ underscore the importance of synergy, co-operation and collaboration,” stated Singh.He described the commissioning of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, established through the collaboration between the two countries, as an excellent example of their shared commitment towards keeping the waters of the Indian Ocean safe and secure.Published on September 9, 2026
