Indian Army Chief Holds Strategic Talks with Sri Lanka to Boost Defence and Disaster Cooperation

Colombo, Jan 2026 : Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi held high-level discussions with Sri Lankan defence officials on Thursday, focusing on strengthening bilateral defence ties, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) cooperation, and collaboration in areas of shared strategic interest.

During his visit, General Dwivedi met Sri Lanka’s Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara and Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha, where the talks underscored the two nations’ commitment to regional stability, security, and enduring defence partnership. The discussions focused on enhancing military-to-military engagement, sharing best practices in disaster relief, and reinforcing collaboration in sectors critical to national and regional security.

Earlier, in November 2025, India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu, acting as a ‘First Responder’ to provide urgent HADR support to Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah, which caused widespread flooding, landslides, and extensive infrastructure damage, overwhelming the country’s disaster-response capacity.

During his Colombo visit, General Dwivedi also reviewed the Guard of Honour at the Sri Lankan Army Headquarters and met Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lankan Army. As part of reinforcing defence ties, military vehicles, ambulances, and training simulators were handed over to Sri Lanka, highlighting the practical and enduring aspects of Indo-Lanka cooperation.

On Wednesday, the Army Chief visited the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC), where he met Commandant Major General K.W. Jayaweera and inaugurated the ‘Indo-Lanka Wisdom Corner’ at the DSCSC library. Addressing faculty and student officers, General Dwivedi spoke on the evolving global security environment, the changing nature of modern warfare, and the operational implications for armed forces.

He emphasised the critical role of the military in nation-building and highlighted the importance of integrating emerging and niche technologies into military operations to enhance operational effectiveness. The Army Chief also encouraged officers-in-training to continually upgrade their professional skills to become capable leaders who can navigate complex security challenges.

The visit reflects India’s commitment to deepening defence cooperation with Sri Lanka, both in traditional military engagement and disaster-response readiness, reinforcing the longstanding friendship between the two nations.

Through these discussions and collaborative initiatives, India and Sri Lanka aim to strengthen regional security architecture, improve HADR capabilities, and foster a strategic partnership that balances operational preparedness with humanitarian support.

This visit is part of ongoing efforts to enhance interoperability, capacity-building, and knowledge exchange between the armed forces of India and Sri Lanka.