Indian Defence Secretary arrives

India's Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar arrived in Colombo yesterday on a three day official visit aimed at boosting bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries. The senior Indian government official arrived at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport in a special flight at 1.30 p.m.

A seven member delegation accompanied the Indian Defence Secretary. They were flown to Colombo by Sri Lanka Air Force helicopters.

During his visit the Indian official will hold discussions with key defence officials of Sri Lanka to strengthen bilateral defence ties with post-war Sri Lanka.

Kumar is to hold talks with Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He met External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday."It is important that we have a framework for peacetime relationship. So far we have had a wartime relationship," Pradeep Kumar has told Indian media.

India is also expected to gift some military equipment such as shoulder-fired missiles and radars to Sri Lanka during Defence Secretary's visit, PTI reported.

The Defence Secretary's visit will also coincide with the first annual defence dialogue between the two countries.

The decision to institute a mechanism of an annual defence dialogue was agreed upon during the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in June.

As a result of the meeting a programme has been launched to improve defence relations to benefit both countries.

During his visit, the Indian official will also pay homage to the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) troops killed by the Tamil Tiger rebels during Sri Lanka's bloody war. Kumar is to continue his tour until 30 December, Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry sources said.