NEW DELHI: In a fresh impetus to the bilateral ties, Indian and Sri Lankan navies Monday kick-started their largest naval exercise off the island nation’s eastern coast, after a gap of over six years. Spanning over six days, the exercise code named SLINEX-II is aimed at increasing “interoperability” among the two navies that are now facing a common threat of piracy and terrorism in the region. According to senior officials, both the navies would rehearse the concept of joint naval operations and try to gain from each other’s experience. The Indian fleet comprises one destroyer (INS Ravijay), one frigate (INS Shivlik), one missile corvette (INS Khanjar), one landing ship tank (INS Gharial), two fast attack craft (Cheriyam and Koradivh) and one maritime patrol aircraft.
Sri Lanka has deployed two Offshore patrol vessels (SLNS Sagara and SLNS Samudura), a fast missile vessel (SLNS Nandimihra), two fast gun boats (Prathapa and Ranajaya) and six fast attack craft. Helicopters and a maritime reconnaissance aircraft will also participate in the exercise.
The last exercise between the navies of the two neighbours was held in 2005.
With China trying to make inroads into Sri Lanka, the island nation has become strategically important for India. The exercise is seen as New Delhi’s continuing intensive diplomatic and military engagement with Colombo.
Last year, after a hiatus of over six years, Indian Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma had gone to Colombo on a five-day visit. In recent times, the Indian Navy had also helped Sri Lanka in reopening the Kankesanthurai Harbour in Jaffna. Indian Navy Survey Ship ‘Nirupak’ had done work in this regard.
