Chief Of Naval Staff Adm Dinesh Tripathi’s On 4-Day Sri Lanka Visit After INS Satpura’s Arrival In Colombo
The Indian Navy regularly interacts with the Sri Lanka Navy through medium of Annual Defence Dialogue, Staff Talks. Image courtesy: RNA
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, is on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka from Monday (September 22, 2025) to Thursday (September 25, 2025). His engagements include high-level meetings with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, and the chiefs of Sri Lanka’s armed forces.
During his visit, the meetings that the Indian Navy chief will engage in will focus on maritime security, capability enhancement, training, and new avenues for cooperation. In addition to this, Admiral Tripathi will also take part in the 12th edition of Galle Dialogue 2025.
Why is the Galle Dialogue central to India’s outreach?
It is an international maritime conference in Colombo themed ‘Maritime Outlook of the Indian Ocean under Changing Dynamics’. Admiral Tripathi’s participation would reflect India’s proactive role in shaping the security and stability agenda of the Indian Ocean Region.
The Indian Navy’s ties with the Sri Lanka Navy are reinforced through annual defence dialogues, staff talks, and operational interactions. Key initiatives include SLINEX (Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise), passage exercises, training programs, and hydrography collaborations.
Both navies also engage together in multilateral platforms like the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, MILAN, Galle Dialogue, Goa Maritime Conclave, and Colombo Security Conclave.
How does the visit align with India’s ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision?
The CNS’s visit highlights India’s long-term commitment to maritime cooperation under the vision of ‘MAHASAGAR’, aimed at peace, security, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean. By fostering mutual trust and strategic alignment, the Indian Navy seeks to ensure that India-Sri Lanka relations remain anchored in shared values, maritime trust.
Meanwhile, Indian Navy’s indigenous stealth frigate INS Satpura arrived in Colombo on Sunday (September 21, 2025) to a warm reception from personnel of the Sri Lanka Navy. The ship is set to engage in professional interactions, rescue and force protection drills, yoga and sports fixtures with the Sri Lankan Navy.
The Ministry of External Affairs states that Sri Lanka has a central place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision.
