Sri Lanka and India have had cordial defence relations for decades, engaging in defence dialogues, joint military and Naval exercises, trainings and workshops.
Annually, India provides training for approximately 750 military personnel from Sri Lanka. The India-Sri Lanka Defence partnership has been and continues to be an invaluable asset for Sri Lanka, said Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha in a message issued to mark Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka.
He said: “During the Defence Dialogue held in 2023 both sides agreed to further strengthen defence relations through a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation to continue the defence partnership and engagements more efficiently and in a structured manner.
The MoU was meticulously scrutinised, reviewed and relevant negotiations conducted in terms of circular instructions issued by the Secretary to the President in January this year in respect of interactions with foreign Governments. Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was duly obtained prior to signature.
Any cooperation activities undertaken under this MoU would be in accordance with international best practices and will not conflict with domestic laws and national policies of either Sri Lanka or India.
When carrying out cooperation activities under this MoU, the parties commit themselves to respect the national and military laws and regulations of the parties and the relevant principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, which include sovereign equality of States, territorial integrity and inviolability, and non-intervention in the internal affairs of the parties.
Through the sound base for defence relations provided through the signing of this MoU, the exchange of Tri-Service officers, trainings, staff talks between the forces, exchange of information, cooperation in the defence industry and in the field of defence technology and research with measures to ensure relevant intellectual property rights, will be carried out in a professional manner.
