Indian Army chief arrives in Sri Lanka to strengthen military cooperation

Indian Army Staff Chief General Bipin Rawat arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday (13 May) on an official visit from 14 to 17 May aimed at strengthening military cooperation between the two countries. It is his first visit to Sri Lanka.

During the visit, General Rawat is scheduled to meet the senior most political and military hierarchy of Sri Lanka.

The visit assumes significance in light of India’s persistent efforts to strengthen the existing bonds of friendship and military cooperation based on mutual interests and understanding, India’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

The Indian Army has been catering not only to varied training requirements of the Sri Lankan Army, including imparting specific tailor-made training in different fields, but also providing military hardware support.

During the visit, the Chief of the Army Staff will inaugurate a communication laboratory at the School of Signals, Kandy, conceptualised and established by the Indian Army, to train the personnel of Sri Lanka Army Signal Corps.

The Army Chief will also be visiting the Sri Lanka Military Academy at Diyathalawa to exchange best practices related to pre-commissioning training being followed by the two armies.

Apart from interaction with the senior leadership of the three Services, General Bipin Rawat is scheduled to meet the Regional Military Commanders at Kandy and Trincomalee.

“The visit is yet another milestone in reaching out to our immediate neighbourhood and take forward the military to military cooperation to the next level,” the Indian Defense Ministry said.