A high-level Indian defence delegation accompanying the Indian Defence Minister on his official visit to Sri Lanka met Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence on 09 Sept, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The delegation included Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, and officials from the Indian High Commission. The meeting took place during the delegation’s visit on the evening of 09 Sept.
The discussions focused on strengthening the longstanding defence relations and cooperation between Sri Lanka and India. The meeting brought together senior figures from the two countries’ defence establishments at a time when regional and maritime security considerations remain central to their bilateral security relationship.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the talks covered a range of pertinent matters, including regional and maritime security dynamics and emerging security challenges. The discussions also addressed the importance of improving disaster preparedness and response capabilities, as well as training and capacity building.
The breadth of the discussions points to a defence relationship extending beyond conventional military cooperation. Disaster preparedness, emergency response and institutional capacity building were included alongside wider regional and maritime security concerns, highlighting areas in which the two countries see scope for further cooperation.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for Sri Lanka to acknowledge India’s continuing assistance. Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) expressed appreciation to the Government, people and armed forces of India for their continued support and assistance to Sri Lanka.
He particularly acknowledged India’s assistance during the Cyclone Ditwah disaster, describing the support as further evidence of the enduring friendship, solidarity and close bonds shared between the two countries. The reference to disaster assistance placed humanitarian support alongside defence cooperation as an important dimension of bilateral relations.
The participation of senior officials representing India’s Army, Navy and Air Force gave the meeting a broad institutional character. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, and Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, were among the visiting officials involved in the discussions.
For Sri Lanka and India, the talks underscored the continuing importance of bilateral defence cooperation while also bringing regional and maritime security, emerging challenges, disaster response and capacity building into the same framework. The meeting therefore provided an opportunity to discuss both established areas of cooperation and areas requiring stronger preparedness and institutional capabilities.
The discussions took place during the Indian Defence Minister’s official visit to Sri Lanka, with the senior Indian defence delegation meeting the Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Defence on 09 Sept. The meeting reaffirmed the emphasis both sides place on maintaining and strengthening the longstanding defence relationship between the two countries.
