Sri Lanka and India have further strengthened their longstanding maritime and defence partnership following the first overseas visit of Sri Lanka Navy Commander Vice Admiral Damian Fernando since assuming command of the Navy.
Undertaken at the invitation of the Indian Navy from 26 to 29 August 2026, the visit included high-level discussions with India’s senior defence leadership in New Delhi, professional engagements with the Indian Navy’s Southern Naval Command and training establishments in Kochi, and an interaction with India’s defence industry. Vice Admiral Fernando returned to Sri Lanka on 30 August.
In New Delhi, Vice Admiral Fernando was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at South Block before paying homage to India’s fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. He subsequently held bilateral discussions with the Chief of the Naval Staff of India, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan.
The discussions centred on strengthening maritime security cooperation between the two navies, including joint operations, training and capacity building. The two sides also discussed expanding training opportunities and capacity-building programmes, while reaffirming the importance of close professional engagement in support of security in the Indian Ocean Region.
Vice Admiral Fernando also called on India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General N.S. Raja Subramani; Defence Secretary, Mr Rajesh Kumar Singh; and Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit.
During these meetings, the two sides reviewed ongoing activities and projects under the Bilateral Defence Cooperation Plan. Discussions also covered bilateral defence cooperation, joint training, capacity enhancement and opportunities to strengthen air and maritime cooperation.
The visit extended beyond government-to-government and military engagements to include India’s defence industry. The interaction provided an opportunity to explore avenues for cooperation and collaboration while gaining a better understanding of capabilities and technologies relevant to the maritime and defence sectors. It added a practical dimension to the broader discussions on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation.
The Kochi leg of the visit placed particular emphasis on the longstanding training relationship between the two navies. Vice Admiral Fernando visited INS Dronacharya, the Indian Navy’s premier gunnery and missile training establishment, where he underwent specialist training earlier in his career and was adjudged the Best All Round Officer.
His return to the establishment more than two decades after completing his training there provided a direct link between the long-standing professional relationship between the two navies and its continuing importance.
Vice Admiral Fernando also met Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of India’s Southern Naval Command, at its headquarters in Kochi. Their discussions focused on existing naval training exchange programmes and opportunities to introduce and expand further training initiatives and professional development between the two navies.
During the visit, the Sri Lanka Navy Commander was also hosted by the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India at Sri Lanka House in New Delhi. The engagement provided an opportunity to exchange views on matters of mutual interest, including Sri Lanka–India relations, maritime and defence cooperation, and the contribution of the Sri Lanka Navy to maritime security and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
The visit highlighted the breadth of the Sri Lanka–India maritime partnership, spanning strategic-level dialogue and defence cooperation as well as training, professional exchanges, capacity building and potential industry engagement.
As close maritime neighbours and longstanding partners, Sri Lanka and India share an interest in maintaining a secure, stable and peaceful Indian Ocean. Vice Admiral Fernando’s visit provided further impetus to the two navies’ continuing efforts to strengthen cooperation and contribute to maritime security and stability across the region.
