Rajnath Singh arrives in Sri Lanka on three-day visit

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday on a three-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in defence and regional maritime security.

“Looking forward to a productive engagement with the leadership of Sri Lanka during the visit,” Singh said ahead of his departure for the island nation.

During his visit, Singh will also interact with members of the Indian diaspora.

“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 initiatives,” he said.

Singh was received at the Bandaranaike International Airport by Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Defence Maj Gen (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha, the Ministry of Defence said.

He received a warm and traditional welcome from the Sri Lankan side, reflecting the close and enduring ties between the two countries, it added.

Singh is leading a high-level delegation comprising senior officials from the ministries of Defence and External Affairs, according to the ministry.

His visit is the first by an Indian Defence Minister to Sri Lanka in 38 years.

Coinciding with Singh's visit, the Indian Navy's INS Udaygiri, an advanced indigenous stealth guided-missile frigate, arrived at Colombo port on Tuesday.

The frigate was received in accordance with naval traditions, the Sri Lanka Navy said.

Sri Lankan Navy personnel will visit INS Udaygiri for capability familiarisation, knowledge sharing and onboard training, it said.

The ship's crew will also participate in goodwill events with the Sri Lanka Navy and visit tourist and cultural sites during its stay.