Sri Lanka, India strengthen defence cooperation as Rajnath Singh meets President

Diplomacy
By Editor_1
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and visiting Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh exchange greetings at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Wednesday (September 9, 2026) - PMD

COLOMBO – President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held wide-ranging talks in Colombo on Wednesday (9), focusing on strengthening defence, maritime, economic and regional cooperation, as Sri Lanka sought India’s support in combating drug trafficking and addressing issues affecting local fishermen.

The meeting took place at the Presidential Secretariat during Singh’s three-day official visit to Sri Lanka, which marks the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister to the country in 38 years.

President Dissanayake and Singh discussed ways to further deepen the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and India, with particular attention to regional security, maritime cooperation and bilateral relations.

During the discussions, President Dissanayake briefed the Indian Defence Minister on Sri Lanka’s recently launched national program to combat drug trafficking. Noting that the Indian Ocean region has increasingly become a hub for illicit drug trafficking, the President sought India’s fullest cooperation in tackling the transnational narcotics trade.

He also expressed confidence that India would extend its support towards the extradition of Sri Lankan drug traffickers currently serving prison sentences in India.

The President thanked India for the assistance extended to Sri Lanka during periods of difficulty and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region.

President Dissanayake also assured that Sri Lanka would continue to make decisions based on both national and regional interests, while exercising its sovereignty in entering into agreements and partnerships with countries around the world.

Singh, meanwhile, appreciated Sri Lanka’s contribution towards maintaining the Indian Ocean as a peaceful region free from conflict.

The President also acknowledged the assistance provided by the Indian military in restoring and developing infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, expressing confidence that new agreements signed during the visit would further enhance the capabilities of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces and strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries.

The Indian Defence Minister said Sri Lanka occupies a special and important place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ foreign policy, reflecting the close historical and strategic ties between the two nations. He also welcomed steps taken in recent years to strengthen bilateral relations.

The long-standing fisheries issue was also discussed, with attention focused on securing India’s cooperation to protect the livelihoods of Sri Lankan fishermen and working towards a mutually acceptable solution.

Three agreements signed between Sri Lanka and India were subsequently exchanged in the presence of President Dissanayake and Singh. They cover the upgrading of L70 guns for the Sri Lanka Air Force, academic cooperation between the National Defence Colleges of India and Sri Lanka, and bilateral cooperation between the Sri Lankan and Indian Cadet Corps.

The agreements were exchanged by Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha.

Meanwhile, President Dissanayake and Singh also jointly opened three Bailey bridges remotely in the Kurunegala and Batticaloa districts, constructed with a grant from the Government of India.

The bridges, located along the Pansiyagama–Kurunegala, Kabellawa–Kurunegala and Palugamam–Batticaloa roads, were handed over for public use under India’s rehabilitation assistance program aimed at restoring essential road connectivity following Cyclone Ditwah.

Senior Sri Lankan and Indian government and defence officials, including Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, and members of the visiting Indian delegation, were also present at the occasion.

–ENCL

Editor_1
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