Indian Military

[PIB] India and Sri Lanka today decided on a series of measures to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries. The decisions include conducting a joint naval exercise between the navies of the two countries in 2011, holding formal annual defence dialogue and staff level talks between the Navy and Armies of the two countries beginning next year. The decisions were taken by the two sides at the Defence Secretary level talks in Colombo today. The Indian side was led by the Defence Secretary Shri Pradeep Kaumar and the Sri Lankan side by Mr Gotabhaya Rajapakse. Senior officers of the three Services, Coast Guard, MoD and the Ministry of External Affairs also took part in the discussion. The Sri Lankan side was assisted by the Commanders of the three Services.

New Delhi and Colombo have common security concerns including the security and safety of sea lanes of communication. Both sides agreed that these common concerns will form the basis for bilateral exchanges. In today’s meeting the two sides also reviewed major ongoing projects including reactivation of airfields in war torn areas of Sri Lanka.

It was decided that the Chief of Indian Air Force will visit Sri Lanka next month.

Shri Kumar also called on the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Prof GL Peiris. He will call on the Sri Lankan President Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa tomorrow.

Sitanshu Kar