From April 3 to 8, 2023, Colombo will host SLINEX-23, the 10th iteration of the bilateral maritime drill between India and Sri Lanka.
The drill will be conducted in two phases: the harbour phase will run from April 3 through April 5, 2023, and the sea phase will run from April 6 through April 8, 2023. Throughout the harbour phase, additional professional, cultural, sporting, and social activities will be planned to strengthen the bonds of friendship and camaraderie between the two fleets.
The Indian Navy is represented by the offshore surveillance ship INS Savitri and the indigenous Kamorta class ASW corvette INS Kiltan, while the Sri Lankan Navy is represented by SLNS Gajabahu and SLNS Sagara. The practice also includes participation from both parties’ special forces as well as helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft.
The primary objectives of SLINEX are to enhance mutual understanding, communication, and the sharing of best practices among participants in complicated maritime operations.
This was the first SLINEX following the COVID-19 pandemic, the first since the Indian Navy altered its emblem, and the first to include the Air Force and Special Forces, according to India’s Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Vinod K Jacob.
Given their robust political engagement, strong economic and commercial ties, strong people-to-people and cultural ties, and an improved development cooperation partnership, he continued, defense relations between India and Sri Lanka are presently at their best.
