Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Sri Lanka today (September 8) for a three-day official visit.
Aimed at strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries, Singh is expected to hold talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha.
It was also reported that this visit is the first official visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Sri Lanka in 38 years.
Background
Indian media reported that Defence Minister Singh will discuss regional and defence-related issues with Sri Lankan leaders while also interacting with members of the Indian diaspora in Colombo.
The two countries are also expected to review the full and timely implementation of the India-Sri Lanka Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding that was signed when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Colombo in April 2025.
K.C. Pant was the last Indian Defence Minister to visit Sri Lanka while serving in Rajiv Gandhi's Cabinet in 1988.
Productive Engagement
Posting on his official X account, Defence Minister Singh said he was looking forward to a productive engagement with Sri Lanka’s leadership.
“Besides our longstanding partnership as well as deep historical and civilisational ties, Sri Lanka is one of our most important partners under the Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR [Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions] initiatives,” he posted on X.
He is scheduled to leave the island on September 10.
Comments
Moderated before publishing. Your email stays private.