India’s INS Udaygiri has arrived in Colombo for a three-day visit, as New Delhi and Colombo seek to deepen maritime security, defence and regional cooperation…reports Asian Lite News Desk
India’s INS Udaygiri has arrived in Colombo for a three-day operational visit focused on strengthening maritime cooperation and defence ties with Sri Lanka. The visit coincides with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s trip to the island nation, with discussions centred on maritime security, training, equipment support and regional cooperation.
Indian Naval Ship INS Udaygiri arrived at Colombo port for a three-day operational visit from September 8 to 11, as India and Sri Lanka seek to deepen maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.
The Indian Navy said the visit by the indigenously constructed multi-role stealth frigate underscored India’s commitment to the MAHASAGAR vision and its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.
The visit coincided with Singh’s trip to Sri Lanka, during which he attended a deck reception onboard INS Udaygiri at Colombo port alongside Sri Lankan officials.
According to the Indian Navy, the engagements during the visit include Mobile Training Teams, experience sharing and the provision of machinery and equipment spares to the Sri Lankan Armed Forces.
During the reception, Singh handed over spares for the Indra MK 2 radar for the Sri Lankan Air Force, spares for Sri Lanka Navy ship SAYURA and inflatable targets to Sri Lankan officials.
Singh said the equipment would help strengthen the capability and capacity of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces.
“Attended the deck reception organised onboard INS Udaygiri at Colombo port during my visit to Sri Lanka. Was also joined by the Dy minister of Defence and other senior government officials of Sri Lanka. During the event, handed over Spares for Indra MK 2 –Radar for Sri Lankan Air Force, Spares for SLN Ship SAYURA and Inflatable targets to the Sri Lankan officials. This equipment will help in further boosting the capability and capacity of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces,” Singh posted on X.
He also recalled INS Udaygiri’s role as an early responder during Cyclone Ditwah, when the ship brought relief assistance to Sri Lanka.
“INS Udayagiri was among the first responders during the devastating Cyclone Ditwah and brought relief assistance to our brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka. As Sri Lanka’s closest neighbour and a civilisational twin, Bharat will continue to stand firmly with Sri Lanka in rain or shine. We remain each other’s ‘Sukh Dukh Mein Saathi’,” he added.
The wider maritime partnership was also a key focus of Singh’s engagements in Colombo.
On Wednesday, he said India and Sri Lanka could work towards developing an integrated Maritime Domain Awareness system capable of providing comprehensive maritime information in real time.
Speaking at the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence in Colombo on ‘India-Sri Lanka Maritime Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region – Civilisational Partners with intertwined destinies’, Singh said, “I foresee a future where our two countries move forward as joint stakeholders in developing a mutually beneficial and integrated Maritime Domain Awareness system to provide comprehensive maritime information on a real-time basis.”
He said such cooperation would involve systematic interaction among relevant agencies, the Navies and Coast Guards of both countries.
The proposed cooperation could help address maritime challenges including illegal fishing, suspicious vessel tracking, narcotics trafficking, smuggling and terrorism.
“India is always willing to join hands with its Sri Lankan colleagues in areas like capacity building and exercises. India is committed to assisting Sri Lanka in whichever way possible to further enhance such cooperation,” Singh said.
Singh also highlighted the economic potential of closer maritime ties, saying Indian and Sri Lankan ports could contribute to shared economic growth and that the maritime industry could support future prosperity across the region.
The INS Udaygiri visit comes as India and Sri Lanka continue efforts to expand defence and maritime cooperation, with training, equipment support and information sharing forming key areas of engagement.
