New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday called for stronger maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka to maintain a secure maritime environment in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Singh made the remarks during his visit to Sri Lanka, where he held discussions with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya and later addressed senior defence officials at the Ministry of Defence.
During his meeting with Amarasuriya, the two leaders discussed a range of issues, with development cooperation emerging as a key area. They also reviewed progress in education, information technology, infrastructure, innovation and research, according to an official statement.
The two sides also discussed their ancient civilisation ties and the importance of strong people-to-people exchanges in strengthening relations between the two countries.
Singh said India and Sri Lanka, as sister democracies with shared heritage, should continue working towards a shared developmental vision focused on regional peace, prosperity and the welfare of their people.
He identified capacity building as an important pillar of bilateral cooperation and said his visit was aimed at giving further momentum to the historic and multi-faceted India-Sri Lanka partnership.
The defence minister also highlighted women’s empowerment during his meeting with the Sri Lankan PM. He described Amarasuriya as a role model for women in both Sri Lanka and India and said she represented women’s empowerment and Nari Shakti.
He said India wanted more women from Sri Lanka to benefit from Indian Council for Cultural Relations scholarships and other government of India initiatives aimed at increasing women’s participation in governance and leadership.
At the Ministry of Defence, Singh stressed the importance of maritime security for both countries. He said secure sea lanes, freedom of navigation, respect for international law and unhindered maritime trade were crucial for collective security and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region.
He called for enhanced cooperation between India and Sri Lanka to create a favourable and secure maritime environment and address emerging maritime challenges before they become serious threats to development.
Singh said national security and economic growth could not be viewed separately because both were closely linked to geography and security. He stressed that neither India nor Sri Lanka could remain indifferent to developments in the region.
The Indian defence minister noted that the two countries had strengthened their capabilities through measures including capacity building and joint exercises.
However, he said there was a need to further strengthen the longstanding India-Sri Lanka defence and strategic partnership, with particular emphasis on maritime cooperation.
He called for joint protocols, improved skills and greater sharing of experiences to deal with emerging threats arising from changing global and regional dynamics.
Singh also said India and Sri Lanka needed to develop new approaches for a closer maritime partnership in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of MAHASAGAR, or Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
He described maritime security as a practical reality that directly affects the trade, security and future of both countries, which share the Indian Ocean.
Singh said Sri Lanka was a friendly neighbour, longstanding friend and reliable partner for India. He also emphasised that both countries were central to discussions on maritime security in the region and that stronger maritime cooperation would benefit their collective growth and security.
The defence minister highlighted progress in bilateral maritime cooperation, particularly in search and rescue operations that have helped save lives at sea.
India and Sri Lanka have also been working together in areas including counter-narcotics, anti-piracy and human trafficking, he said.
Singh underlined the growing relevance of the Colombo Security Conclave, which focuses on maritime safety, counter-terrorism, cyber security and organised crime.
He also highlighted the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre established through cooperation between India and Sri Lanka as an example of their shared commitment to keeping the waters of the Indian Ocean safe and secure.
Singh said India was ready to work with Sri Lanka in areas such as capacity building and joint exercises. He added that such cooperation would allow both sides to learn from each other’s experiences and improve protocols for implementing joint initiatives.
