Colombo, September 9: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo, and the two leaders held detailed discussions on the full spectrum of the multifaceted partnership between India and Sri Lanka.

The meeting highlighted the traditionally warm and close ties between the two countries, marked by mutual trust, strong historical links and growing people-to-people exchanges.

Describing India and Sri Lanka as civilisational twins, close neighbours and maritime partners, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to working together for shared development and the welfare of their people. They also stressed the importance of jointly promoting peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region.

Singh conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and underlined the deep bonds of friendship between the people of India and Sri Lanka, rooted in centuries-old historical and civilisational connections.

Welcoming the Defence Minister, President Dissanayake recalled his interactions with Prime Minister Modi and reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to ensuring that its territory would never be used for activities detrimental to India’s security interests.

The Sri Lankan President also thanked India for the relief assistance provided under Operation Sagar Bandhu following Cyclone Dithan, as well as for the comprehensive rehabilitation package extended by New Delhi to support reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in various parts of the island nation.

Singh said India regarded its assistance to Sri Lanka not as a favour but as a responsibility, describing India as Sri Lanka’s closest friend and neighbour. He stressed that India would continue to extend support to Sri Lanka as a first responder whenever required.

During the meeting, the two leaders virtually inaugurated three Bailey Bridges constructed by the Indian Defence Forces. The two countries also exchanged Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering the upgradation of L70 guns for the Sri Lanka Air Force and cooperation between the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and the National Defence Colleges (NDC) of India and Sri Lanka.

Under one of the agreements, six L70 air defence guns earlier provided by India to the Sri Lanka Air Force will be upgraded under a Government of India grant. The modernisation is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s air defence capabilities and enhance the protection of critical assets.

The MoU between the National Defence College of India and its Sri Lankan counterpart will promote academic cooperation and knowledge sharing, further strengthening institutional and academic ties between the two sister institutions.

The agreement on NCC cooperation will formalise the youth exchange programme between India and Sri Lanka. The programme provides NCC cadets with opportunities to participate in exchange activities and major NCC events in New Delhi alongside cadets from several countries.

The latest engagements underline the growing breadth of India-Sri Lanka defence and strategic cooperation, while reaffirming the two countries’ shared commitment to regional peace, security, development and the welfare of their people.