Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Wednesday assured India, during a meeting with defence minister Rajnath Singh, that Colombo would never allow its territory to be used for activities inimical to India’s security interests, as the two sides signed three agreements to boost defence cooperation, including one to modernise India-supplied air-defence guns operated by the Sri Lankan Air Force.
India and Sri Lanka Enhance Defence Cooperation
India and Sri Lanka have signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) focused on upgrading L70 guns for the Sri Lankan Air Force and fostering collaboration between the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National Defence Colleges (NDC) of both nations. The Indian defence ministry confirmed these developments in a recent statement.
Indian Defence Minister Singh emphasized the importance of the bilateral relationship, stating, “As close neighbours and maritime partners, India and Sri Lanka have reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together for the development of our countries and the well-being of our people. Likewise, we have reaffirmed our resolve to work together for the security, safety, peace, and prosperity of our region.”
The discussions between the two leaders covered a broad range of topics, reflecting the longstanding partnership characterized by mutual trust and cooperation.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the upgradation of six L70 guns for the Sri Lankan Air Force falls under a Government of India grant. “The upgradation of these air defence guns will significantly strengthen the air defence architecture of critical assets in Sri Lanka. The MoU on NCC cooperation will formalise the NCC youth exchange programme between India and Sri Lanka, it added.
These air defence guns were earlier provided to the Sri Lanka Air Force by India,” it said. The MoU on academic cooperation between NDC, India and NDC, Sri Lanka will facilitate knowledge sharing, a significant step in further strengthening the academic bonds between the two institutes, the ministry said. “This exchange programme provides a valuable opportunity for cadets from multiple countries across the world to come to New Delhi every year and participate in NCC events.”
