India and Sri Lanka will review the entire gamut of their bilateral defence ties and explore ways to further strengthen them during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to the island nation that was earlier scheduled to begin on Saturday. However, his visit has been put off for a later date due to some exigencies.
“Raksha mantri looks forward to visiting the island nation at the earliest possible time frame,” said the Ministry.
Giving details of his schedule, Defence Ministry officials said here on Friday the visit will be an important “landmark” in building the strong bonds of friendship between the two countries. Moreover, it will reiterate India's continued commitment in furthering the existing warm and friendly relations with Sri Lanka, they added.
Rajnath will hold talks with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, the defence ministry said. Wickremesinghe also holds the charge of Sri Lanka's defence ministry.
“During the visit, Rajnath Singh will hold talks with President and Defence Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena," the ministry said in a statement. It said the entire gamut of India's defence ties between the two countries will be reviewed during the meetings.
Rajnath will also visit Nuwara Elia in Central Sri Lanka and Trincomalee which is located in the eastern part of the country. "This visit of Rajnath Singh will reiterate India's continued commitment in furthering the existing warm and friendly relations with Sri Lanka," the ministry said.
Rajnath will also host the Sri Lankan President and other prominent dignitaries on board INS Delhi, Indian Navy’s first indigenously designed and built guided missile destroyer. It arrived in Colombo on Friday. The ship is on a two-day visit that coincides with Rajnath’s visit to the island nation, Navy officials said here.
As part of India's 'Arogya Maitri' initiative to provide quality medical supplies to friendly countries, Rajnath will hand over state-of-the-art medical bricks that have been indigenously developed under project BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri), onboard INS Delhi.
The ship’s visit aims to strengthen navy-to-navy ties and bolster the Bridges of Friendship with India’s trusted neighbour. The crew of INS Delhi would be closely interacting with personnel from Sri Lanka Navy, both through professional engagements to enhance interoperability, and by creating environmental and health awareness through beach clean-up drive and a yoga session.
The ship would also remain open to school children and other local visitors. The Indian contingent would also lay a wreath and pay homage to the martyrs at the IPKF memorial.
INS Delhi was commissioned in November 1997 and is presently commanded by Captain Abhishek Kumar. The ship has recently undergone a mid-life upgrade and is equipped with the latest weapons and sensors, making it a formidable platform that is capable of undertaking all facets of maritime operations - on surface, air and underwater domains.
India has been expanding its overall strategic ties with Sri Lanka amid concerns over China's attempts to increase influence over the island nation.
The docking of the Chinese missile and satellite tracking ship 'Yuan Wang ' at Hambantota port in August last year had triggered a diplomatic row between India and Sri Lanka. Another Chinese warship docked at the Colombo port last month.
In August last year, India handed over a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft to Sri Lanka.
The aircraft was given to Sri Lanka from the inventory of the Indian Navy to help the country meet its immediate security requirement.
India has been supporting various capacity building measures of Sri Lankan defence forces including providing indigenously constructed Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs).
Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe visited India in July during which both sides vowed to further boost their defence and strategic ties.
It was the first visit to India by a Sri Lankan leader since the island nation reeled under a severe economic crisis last year.
India extended financial assistance worth around USD 4 billion to Sri Lanka, including lines of credit, for purchases of food and fuel last year when it was hit by the economic crisis.
New Delhi also provided guarantees to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help the country secure a USD 2.9 billion bailout package.
