India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Arrives in Sri Lanka for A Three-Day Official Visit

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Sri Lanka on an official three-day visit, where he was received at the airport by Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara, and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha.

Ahead of his departure from New Delhi, Singh said he looked forward to engaging productively with Sri Lanka’s leadership during his visit.

The Indian Defence Minister is expected to hold high-level discussions and sign several agreements with Sri Lanka, including arrangements aimed at further strengthening bilateral defence cooperation.

Singh said Sri Lanka remains one of India’s key partners under its “Neighbourhood First” and “MAHASAGAR” initiatives, highlighting the two countries’ longstanding partnership as well as their deep historical and civilisational links.

During his visit, Singh is scheduled to meet President Anura Dissanayake on Wednesday morning, when three agreements are expected to be signed.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told reporters that one of the agreements will cover cooperation between the cadet corps of the two countries. A second agreement will be signed between Sri Lanka’s National Defence College and its counterpart in New Delhi.

The third agreement will focus on arrangements for the repair of military equipment, according to Herath.

The visit is also expected to provide an opportunity for further discussions on defence and security cooperation between the two countries, as India and Sri Lanka continue to deepen their bilateral relationship.

As part of his three-day programme, Singh is also scheduled to meet members of the Indian diaspora in Sri Lanka.