Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari visiting Sri Lanka to give further boost to defence relationship

Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari commenced a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka from Monday (May 1, 2023) with an aim to bolster the existing defence cooperation between the two nations.

As part of his visit, CAS Chaudhari is scheduled to hold meetings with several high-ranking officials, including the Sri Lankan President, Prime Minister, State Minister of Defense, Chief of the Defence Staff, and Commanders of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Army, and Navy, as well as the Defense Secretary.

This visit was initiated at the invitation of the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal SK Pathirana. In addition to meeting with government officials, the Chief of the Air Staff will engage with student officers of the National Defence College in Sri Lanka and visit the Sri Lankan Air Force Academy.

The visit of Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari to Sri Lanka is expected to strengthen the existing professional relationships and promote mutual cooperation between the two nations.

India and Sri Lanka have maintained strong defence cooperation for decades, with India playing a crucial role in enhancing Sri Lanka's defence capabilities through military training, intelligence sharing, and technical assistance.

In recent years, the defence partnership has deepened, with both nations engaging in joint military exercises and exchanging high-level visits between defense officials. India has also extended substantial support to the Sri Lankan Navy by providing training, equipment, and infrastructure development assistance.

During a two-day visit by Vice Chief of the Indian Navy Vice Admiral SN Ghormade to Sri Lanka in August 2022, India gifted a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft to Sri Lanka from its naval inventory in response to the country's immediate security needs.

Additionally, India has assisted the Sri Lankan defence forces in capacity-building efforts, including the provision of indigenously constructed offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).

The strengthening of defence cooperation between India and Sri Lanka will not only bolster the defense capabilities of both countries but also contribute to promoting regional stability and security in the Indian Ocean region.