Chief of the Naval Staff Visits Sri Lanka

Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), was on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka from 22-25 September 2025.

During the visit, the CNS called on the  Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr Harini Amarasuriya and engaged in bilateral discussions with the three Service Chiefs and other senior government officials on a broad spectrum of defence cooperation matters, with emphasis on maritime security, capability enhancement, training and identifying avenues to strengthen cooperation.

He also participated in the 12th edition of Galle Dialogue 2025 - International Maritime Conference at Colombo on the theme ‘Maritime Outlook of the Indian Ocean under Changing Dynamics’.

The Indian Navy regularly interacts with the Sri Lanka Navy through medium of Annual Defence Dialogue, staff talks and other operational interactions which include Sri Lanka India Naval Exercise (SLINEX), Passage Exercises, Training and Hydrography exchanges. In addition, both navies regularly participate in multilateral events such as Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, Galle Dialogue, MILAN, Goa Maritime Conclave/ Symposium, Colombo Security Conclave.

The CNS engagements in Sri Lanka are structured at deepening bonds of friendship, paving the way for enhanced understanding in key areas of shared strategic and maritime interests, in line with the vision of MAHASAGAR. The visit reaffirms the time-tested India-Sri Lanka relations, anchored on mutual respect, maritime trust and a shared vision for peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).