Colombo: Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, began a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka on 22 September 2025, aimed at advancing India-Sri Lanka maritime cooperation and reinforcing regional security partnerships.
During his stay, Admiral Tripathi will call on Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, as well as the Service Chiefs and senior government officials. Talks will cover a wide spectrum of defence cooperation, with a strong focus on maritime security, capability enhancement, training initiatives, and new avenues to deepen strategic collaboration.
A key highlight of the visit is Admiral Tripathi’s participation in the 12th edition of Galle Dialogue 2025, an international maritime conference in Colombo, themed “Maritime Outlook of the Indian Ocean under Changing Dynamics.” The event brings together global naval leaders to discuss emerging challenges and cooperative strategies in the region.
India and Sri Lanka already share robust naval cooperation through the Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise (SLINEX), passage exercises, hydrography exchanges, and annual defence dialogues. Both navies also participate in multilateral platforms like the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, Goa Maritime Conclave, Colombo Security Conclave, and MILAN exercises.
The Indian Navy described Admiral Tripathi’s visit as a reaffirmation of the time-tested India-Sri Lanka friendship, anchored in mutual respect, maritime trust, and a shared vision for peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region. It aligns with India’s broader MAHASAGAR vision, which emphasizes security and growth for all in the maritime domain.
By strengthening bilateral ties at this critical juncture, the visit underscores India’s commitment to regional stability and highlights its growing role as a key maritime partner in South Asia.
