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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday called for deeper maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka to safeguard sea lanes, uphold freedom of navigation and ensure unhindered maritime trade in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), while urging both countries to address emerging security challenges before they undermine regional development and prosperity.
Addressing Sri Lankan Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara, the commanders of the Sri Lankan Army, Navy and Air Force and senior officials at the Ministry of Defence in Colombo on September 9, Singh said maritime security was closely linked to the collective security and economic prosperity of the Indian Ocean region.
“Secure sea lanes, freedom of navigation, respect for international law and unhindered maritime trade are pivotal for collective security and prosperity of the Indian Ocean Region,” Singh said, stressing the need for India and Sri Lanka to work together to create a secure and favourable maritime environment.
Singh said national security and economic growth could not be viewed separately as both were intrinsically connected to geography and the prevailing security environment. Given their shared maritime space, he said, neither India nor Sri Lanka could remain indifferent to developments in the region. While acknowledging the progress made by the two countries through capacity-building initiatives and joint military exercises, Singh called for further strengthening the longstanding defence partnership, particularly in the maritime domain.
“We need to devise and implement joint protocols, sharpen the skills and share experiences to deal with emerging threats arising from the rapidly evolving global and regional dynamics. It needs to be a continuous process,” he said.
The Defence Minister called for developing new frameworks for a closer and stronger maritime partnership, linking the initiative with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. Singh said the shared ocean connected the destinies of India and Sri Lanka and that maritime security was not merely an abstract strategic concept but a factor that directly influenced trade, security and economic development.
“Sri Lanka is a friendly neighbour, longstanding friend and reliable partner for India. Both nations are central to any strategic discourse on maritime security in the region. Strong India-Sri Lanka maritime cooperation will be mutually beneficial and vital for collective growth and security,” he said.
Highlighting the progress made in bilateral maritime cooperation, Singh referred to joint Search and Rescue operations, which he said had helped save numerous lives at sea. India and Sri Lanka have also been working together on counter-narcotics, anti-piracy operations and efforts to combat human trafficking. He said the Colombo Security Conclave, with its focus on maritime safety, counter-terrorism, cyber security and organised crime, had become increasingly relevant amid changing regional security dynamics.
Singh also cited the commissioning of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, established through cooperation between India and Sri Lanka, as an example of the two countries’ shared commitment to maintaining safe and secure waters in the Indian Ocean. He said India remained ready to support Sri Lanka through capacity-building initiatives and joint exercises, enabling the two sides to exchange operational experiences and further refine protocols for coordinated action.
Looking ahead, Singh called for greater cooperation in developing an integrated Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) framework between the two countries. Such a mechanism, he said, could enable comprehensive and real-time sharing of maritime information among relevant agencies, navies and coast guards.
The proposed framework could help both countries respond more effectively to threats such as illegal fishing, suspicious vessel movements, narcotics trafficking, smuggling, terrorism and other maritime security challenges.
The Defence Minister also called for greater cooperation to resolve fisheries-related disputes involving fishermen from India and Sri Lanka. He stressed that the issue should be addressed in a mutually beneficial manner while respecting applicable laws and the respective geographic jurisdictions of the two countries. Singh said the maritime partnership should extend beyond conventional security concerns and encompass wider areas of economic cooperation, including fisheries and aquaculture, marine biotechnology, ocean science, protection of the marine environment and maritime tourism.
He also proposed exploring the creation of a joint maritime Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mechanism involving government agencies, disaster management authorities and scientific institutions from both countries. Such a mechanism, he said, could enable faster and better-coordinated responses to natural calamities and man-made disasters. Singh said the Indian Ocean was undergoing a period of profound strategic and economic transformation, creating both challenges and opportunities for India and Sri Lanka.
“The tectonic shifts and rapid transformation underway present both challenges and opportunities. The two countries must leverage their longstanding maritime partnership to turn these opportunities into shared growth,” he said. The Minister, said the future trajectory of India-Sri Lanka relations should be guided by the reality that geographical proximity creates interdependence, which in turn offers significant opportunities for shared development.
Describing India as a “Vishwa Mitra”, or trusted global friend, Singh reiterated New Delhi’s commitment to playing a constructive and dependable role in its neighbourhood. He said maritime security and mutual prosperity were closely intertwined and expressed confidence that India and Sri Lanka, as close maritime partners, could play a significant role in safeguarding peace, security and stability across the Indian Ocean Region.
Notably, during his visit, Singh was accorded a Guard of Honour upon his arrival at the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence. He also laid a wreath at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial in Battaramulla, paying homage to Indian personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.