The navies of India and Sri Lanka are actively engaged in mutually beneficial cooperation in training and capacity building

Indian Navy Ship (INS) Ranvijay will make a port of call at Colombo on a goodwill visit to Sri Lanka from 14-16 April. The visit by INS Ranvijay, the fifth of the Rajput Class destroyer, is symbolic of the message of solidarity and harmony for the people of Sri Lanka on the occasion of Avurudu, the Sinhalese New Year.

INS Ranvijay is an Anti-Submarine Warfare capable Guided Missile Destroyer and is equipped with the state-of-the-art indigenous Bramhos Super Sonic Missile, said a statement from the Indian High Commission in Colombo on Tuesday.

The arrival of the Indian Naval Ship symbolises the message of solidarity and harmony for the people of Sri Lanka on the auspicious occasion of ‘Avurudu’, with the warm wishes for their security, safety, good health and happiness, it said.

The ship is commanded by Captain Narayanan Hariharan, who would call on the Area Commander Western Naval Area, RAdm WDEM Sudarshana and pay his respects at the IPKF memorial on 15 April.

India and Sri Lanka have traditionally shared close cooperation in defence and security. Their navies have been actively engaged in mutually beneficial cooperation in training and capacity building.

The visit of the ship is another step in developing close maritime and security cooperation between the two friendly & close neighbours, the Indian High Commission said.

On 27 November last year, India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval had visited Sri Lanka to participate in the Trilateral Maritime Dialogue among India, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

During his visit, the NSA Doval had called on Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and had also met with the country's defence secretary to further advance the ‘valuable’ bilateral cooperation which contributes to peace and security in the region.

In October last year, the navies of the two countries conducted the eighth edition of annual bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-20 off Trincomalee in Sri Lanka.

The exercise aims to enhance inter-operability, improve mutual understanding and exchange best practices and procedures for multi-faceted maritime operations between both the navies.