India and Sri Lanka Strengthen Maritime Partnership with SLINEX-26 Exercise

Visakhapatnam, September 20 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian Navy has announced a significant step in maritime cooperation with Sri Lanka through the SLINEX-26 bilateral exercise, which commenced on September 17 in Visakhapatnam. This exercise underscores both nations' commitment to maintaining a secure Indian Ocean Region (IOR). A spokesperson for the Indian Navy shared on social media platform 'X' that the Sri Lankan Navy ship SLNS Sindurala arrived in Visakhapatnam for the 13th edition of SLINEX-26, scheduled from September 17 to 21.The exercise is designed to bolster the enduring maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka. The exercise began with a harbor phase, followed by a sea phase. According to the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Navy is represented by the indigenous anti-submarine warfare vessel INS Kavaratti and the fleet tanker INS Jyoti. The Sri Lankan Navy is participating with SLNS Sindurala. The Ministry noted that SLINEX, conceptualized in 2005, has evolved into a crucial platform for enhancing maritime cooperation, interoperability, and mutual understanding between the two navies.The harbor phase included an inaugural ceremony and a welcome for the crew of SLNS Sindurala aboard INS Kavaratti. Activities during this phase featured professional discussions, cross-deck tours, sharing best practices, as well as yoga, sports, and cultural events. The subsequent sea phase will focus on coordinated activities to enhance operational synergy and interoperability. The Ministry further emphasized that SLINEX-26 reinforces India's commitment to a secure, stable, and inclusive maritime environment, aligning with India's ocean vision and strengthening the maritime partnership with Sri Lanka.Earlier in September, the Indian Navy ship INS Udaygiri visited Colombo as part of a three-day operational mission aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation between the two countries. This visit coincided with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's trip to Sri Lanka, highlighting India's unwavering commitment to realizing its ocean vision.