Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane called on Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today. During the meeting, the PM expressed his appreciation for the assistance provided by the Indian Armed Forces to Sri Lanka throughout the years.

The two delegations also discussed regional concerns over growing fundamentalism and terrorism, boosting defence ties and the importance of caring for veterans after their service to the country.

Before meeting the PM, the COAS called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and discussed issues of mutual and strategic cooperation.

General Naravane arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday on a four-day visit at the invitation of his Sri Lankan counterpart General Shavendra Silva.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed steps for further enhancing the excellent defence cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

“Gen MM Naravane #COAS #IndianArmy called on President HE @GotabayaR to seek his guidance on strengthening bilateral defence linkages further. #SriLanka’s leading role as a partner in #security was appreciated including within the Colombo Security Conclave initiative,” the Indian High Commission said in a tweet.

The COAS told the Sri Lankan PM that the armed forces of the two countries have an excellent relationship.

Earlier, he laid a wreath at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) War Memorial in Colombo paying tributes to the soldiers of the Indian Army who laid down their lives during the Peace Keeping Operations in Sri Lanka during the civil war. 

The COAS had served in the IPKP in Sri Lanka’s north and east from 1987-1990.

On Thursday, the Indian Army Chief will witness the final demonstration of the ongoing bilateral Exercise ‘Mitra Shakti’ at Maduru Oya Special Forces Training School in the eastern part of the country.

This high-level visit of the Indian Army Chief to the island nation comes at a time when New Delhi and Beijing remain embroiled in a standoff at the Line of Actual Control.