Rajnath Singh becomes India's first Defence Minister in 38 years to visit Sri Lanka

Rajnath Singh is on a three-day trip to Sri Lanka, becoming the first Indian Defence Minister in 38 years to visit the island nation.

On Wednesday, he met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss ways to deepen defence, economic, maritime and regional cooperation between the two countries.

Their talks covered security, development, rehabilitation support, military cooperation and regional peace.

India and Sri Lanka also exchanged agreements on upgrading six L70 guns for the Sri Lankan Air Force and on cooperation between the National Cadet Corps and the National Defence Colleges of the two countries.

The Defence Minister, who arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday, conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s wishes to Dissanayake and said the people of the two countries shared a deep friendship rooted in historical and civilisational ties. He also congratulated Dissanayake on the completion of two years of his government.

Describing his meeting with Dissanayake as “warm and extremely productive”, Singh said India and Sri Lanka, as close neighbours and maritime partners, would continue working together for their development and the welfare of their people while contributing to regional peace and security.

Dissanayake recalled his interactions with Prime Minister Modi and reiterated that Sri Lanka would never allow its territory to be used for activities inimical to India’s security interests, according to the Indian Defence Ministry.

He also thanked India for relief assistance provided under Operation Sagar Bandhu during Cyclone Ditwah and for the rehabilitation package extended by New Delhi for reconstruction and rehabilitation work.

Singh said India considered such assistance a responsibility as Sri Lanka’s closest friend and neighbour and would continue to act as a first responder in the future.

The two leaders also virtually inaugurated three Bailey Bridges constructed by Indian defence forces.

The Defence Ministry said the upgrade of the six L70 guns, funded through an Indian government grant, would strengthen the air defence capabilities of critical assets in Sri Lanka.

Separately, Dissanayake briefed Singh on Sri Lanka’s recently launched national programme to combat drug trafficking and sought India’s support. He also requested assistance in extraditing Sri Lankan drug traffickers currently serving prison sentences in India.

Dissanayake said Sri Lanka would continue supporting efforts to maintain peace in the Indian Ocean region and stressed that the country takes both national and regional interests into account while entering into agreements with other countries.

Singh appreciated Sri Lanka’s contribution towards maintaining the Indian Ocean region as a peaceful zone free from conflict.

The two sides also discussed the fisheries issue, including India’s support for safeguarding the livelihood of Sri Lankan fishermen and efforts to resolve the matter, according to the President’s Office.

Later, Singh met Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and discussed development cooperation, education and the close cultural and civilisational ties between the two countries.

“I underlined that as sister democracies with shared heritage, India and Sri Lanka should continue to work on a shared developmental vision for the peace and prosperity of our region,” Singh said in a post on X.

He also stressed the importance of capacity building as a key pillar of cooperation and said he hoped his visit would give further momentum to the bilateral partnership.

Singh described Amarasuriya as a role model for women in Sri Lanka and India and referred to her as a symbol of women’s empowerment and “Nari Shakti”.

During his visit, Singh also met senior Sri Lankan military leaders, noting that many had received training in India and shared a close bond with the country.

He visited the Indian Peace Keeping Force memorial in Colombo and paid homage to Indian soldiers who died in the line of duty. He also visited the Gangaramaya Temple and sought the blessings of Lord Buddha.

Singh’s visit comes as India and Sri Lanka seek to deepen their defence and broader bilateral engagement, with both sides emphasising their close ties as neighbours and maritime partners.