Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands during a photo opportunity ahead of their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India.
Credit: PTI Photo
Hyderabad: The bilateral naval exercise SLINEX 2024 -Sri Lanka–India Exercise will be conducted from December 17 to 20 at Visakhapatnam under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command.
The exercise will be held in two phases - the Harbour Phase on December 17 and 18 and the Sea Phase on December 19 and 20.
Initiated in 2005, SLINEX is a significant series of bilateral naval exercises that have strengthened maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka over the years. From India, Indian Naval Ship INS Sumitra, a Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Eastern Fleet, along with a Special Forces team and from Sri Lanka, SLNS Sayura, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, with an embarked Special Forces team will participate in the exercise. The inaugural ceremony of the exercise is scheduled on Tuesday marking the beginning of the Harbour Phase.
During this phase, participants will engage in professional and social exchanges to strengthen mutual understanding. The Sea Phase, commencing on December 19, will feature joint exercises, including Special Forces operations, gun firings, communication drills, seamanship practices, navigation evolutions, and helicopter operations.
Over the years, SLINEX has expanded in scope, enabling both navies to enhance interoperability and share best practices. The 2024 edition aims to further reinforce the strong maritime ties between India and Sri Lanka while promoting a safe, secure, and rules-based maritime environment.