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India and Sri Lanka have active engagement between their navies through regular joint exercises and port calls
The successful conduct of SLINEX 24 (Sri Lanka - India Naval Exercise 2024) earlier this month marked the latest in a series of operational engagements between the two navies during the year.
It was held at Visakhapatnam under the aegis of India’s Eastern Naval Command in two phases. The harbour phase was held on December 17-18, 2024 and the sea phase from December 19-20, 2024. INS Sumitra of the Eastern Fleet, along with a Special Forces team participated from the Indian side; SLNS Sayura, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, along with a Special Forces team participated from the Sri Lanka Navy.
During the Harbour Phase the participants engaged in professional and social exchanges. The Sea Phase included joint exercises by Special Forces of both the navies, gun firings, communication procedures, seamanship as well as navigation evolutions and helicopter operations.
Initiated in 2005, SLINEX has grown in scope and complexity, reflecting the evolving security dynamics of the Indian Ocean. The 2024 edition further consolidated the maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka while addressing shared challenges such as illegal activities at sea, maritime terrorism, and natural disaster response.
“The current edition of the exercise has further strengthened the ties between the two maritime neighbours and contributed towards creating a safe and rule-based Maritime domain thereby taking forward the Government of India’s resolve and vision of Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR),” the Ministry of Defence said on Thursday (December 26, 2024).
SLINEX 2024 was followed by the arrival of two Indian Coast Guard ships, ICGS Vaibhav and ICGS Abhiraj, in Colombo on December 23, 2024, for a goodwill visit, enhancing maritime cooperation and regional ties. Commanding Officers met senior officials from the Sri Lankan Navy & Sri Lankan Coast Guard. The visit featured joint exercise SAGAREX24, onboard training, and professional exchanges.
India and Sri Lanka have active engagement between their navies through regular joint exercises and port calls. The Indian Navy’s Kalvari Class Submarine INS Vela, recently made a port call at Colombo in November, as part of her deployment. The submarine was ceremonially received by the Defence Advisor in Colombo.
Earlier, the Indian Navy’s frontline destroyer, INS Mumbai, docked at Colombo port on August 26, marking the eighth visit by an Indian ship to the island nation in 2024. INS Mumbai was in Colombo primarily to deliver essential spares, support, and equipment for the Sri Lankan Air Force’s (SLAF) Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft. The aircraft provides a unique and critical capability of surveillance over the Sea Area of Responsibility (AOR) of Sri Lanka since induction two years ago.
The ongoing naval cooperation between India and Sri Lanka highlights India’s commitment to being a steadfast partner for its southern neighbour. As the Indian Ocean continues to be a critical arena for geopolitical competition, such naval engagements will play a crucial role in shaping the security architecture of the region.
It was held at Visakhapatnam under the aegis of India’s Eastern Naval Command in two phases. The harbour phase was held on December 17-18, 2024 and the sea phase from December 19-20, 2024. INS Sumitra of the Eastern Fleet, along with a Special Forces team participated from the Indian side; SLNS Sayura, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, along with a Special Forces team participated from the Sri Lanka Navy.
During the Harbour Phase the participants engaged in professional and social exchanges. The Sea Phase included joint exercises by Special Forces of both the navies, gun firings, communication procedures, seamanship as well as navigation evolutions and helicopter operations.
Initiated in 2005, SLINEX has grown in scope and complexity, reflecting the evolving security dynamics of the Indian Ocean. The 2024 edition further consolidated the maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka while addressing shared challenges such as illegal activities at sea, maritime terrorism, and natural disaster response.
“The current edition of the exercise has further strengthened the ties between the two maritime neighbours and contributed towards creating a safe and rule-based Maritime domain thereby taking forward the Government of India’s resolve and vision of Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR),” the Ministry of Defence said on Thursday (December 26, 2024).
SLINEX 2024 was followed by the arrival of two Indian Coast Guard ships, ICGS Vaibhav and ICGS Abhiraj, in Colombo on December 23, 2024, for a goodwill visit, enhancing maritime cooperation and regional ties. Commanding Officers met senior officials from the Sri Lankan Navy & Sri Lankan Coast Guard. The visit featured joint exercise SAGAREX24, onboard training, and professional exchanges.
India and Sri Lanka have active engagement between their navies through regular joint exercises and port calls. The Indian Navy’s Kalvari Class Submarine INS Vela, recently made a port call at Colombo in November, as part of her deployment. The submarine was ceremonially received by the Defence Advisor in Colombo.
Earlier, the Indian Navy’s frontline destroyer, INS Mumbai, docked at Colombo port on August 26, marking the eighth visit by an Indian ship to the island nation in 2024. INS Mumbai was in Colombo primarily to deliver essential spares, support, and equipment for the Sri Lankan Air Force’s (SLAF) Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft. The aircraft provides a unique and critical capability of surveillance over the Sea Area of Responsibility (AOR) of Sri Lanka since induction two years ago.
The ongoing naval cooperation between India and Sri Lanka highlights India’s commitment to being a steadfast partner for its southern neighbour. As the Indian Ocean continues to be a critical arena for geopolitical competition, such naval engagements will play a crucial role in shaping the security architecture of the region.
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