Colombo, September 9: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday called for deeper maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka, stressing that secure sea lanes, freedom of navigation and uninterrupted maritime trade are vital for the stability and economic growth of the Indian Ocean region.
Addressing senior Sri Lankan defence officials during his visit to the Ministry of Defence in Colombo, Singh said the two neighbouring countries share important maritime interests and are well placed to work together to address emerging security challenges.
He said national security and economic development are closely linked, particularly in a region where maritime routes play a major role in trade and connectivity.
Singh noted that India and Sri Lanka have expanded defence cooperation through capacity-building initiatives, training and joint military exercises. He called for greater emphasis on maritime cooperation and the development of effective mechanisms to respond to evolving threats.
The minister highlighted challenges such as drug trafficking, piracy, human trafficking, illegal fishing and other unlawful activities at sea. He said stronger coordination among the two countries’ maritime agencies would be essential to tackle such threats effectively.
Singh also highlighted progress in India-Sri Lanka search-and-rescue cooperation, saying joint efforts in this area have helped save lives during emergencies at sea.He described the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre established through bilateral cooperation as an important example of the two countries’ commitment to improving maritime safety.
The Defence Minister proposed greater collaboration between the two countries’ navies, coast guards and other agencies to develop stronger maritime domain awareness. Such cooperation could help authorities monitor vessel movements and identify suspicious or illegal activities more effectively.
Beyond security, Singh called for expanding maritime cooperation into areas including aquaculture, marine biotechnology, ocean science, environmental protection and maritime tourism.
He also suggested that India and Sri Lanka explore the possibility of developing a joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mechanism to improve coordination during natural or man-made emergencies in the maritime domain.
Referring to the changing strategic and economic environment in the Indian Ocean, Singh said the transformation taking place in the region presented both challenges and opportunities.
He called for the two countries to use their longstanding maritime partnership to promote shared development.Singh linked the proposed cooperation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision, which seeks mutual and comprehensive progress through cooperation among countries.
He described Sri Lanka as a friendly neighbour and trusted partner, and reiterated India’s commitment to playing a constructive and responsible role in the shared neighbourhood.
The minister said maritime security and prosperity were closely connected and expressed confidence that India and Sri Lanka could make a significant contribution to maintaining peace, stability and security in the Indian Ocean region.
During the visit, Singh received a Guard of Honour at the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry and later paid floral tributes at the Indian Peace Keeping Force Memorial in Battaramulla, honouring Indian personnel who made the supreme sacrifice while serving in Sri Lanka.
Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha and other senior officials were present during the engagements.
The visit underscored the growing importance of India-Sri Lanka cooperation in securing maritime routes, strengthening regional preparedness and promoting sustainable development across the Indian Ocean region.
