Visakhapatnam, September 23: The 13th edition of the India-Sri Lanka bilateral maritime exercise, SLINEX-26, concluded at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam on September 21, marking another milestone in defence and maritime cooperation between the two neighbouring nations.
Conducted from September 17 to 21, the exercise provided an important platform for professional interaction, exchange of best practices and enhancement of interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Sri Lanka Navy.
The harbour phase of the exercise included professional exchanges, cross-deck visits and sporting interactions aimed at strengthening mutual understanding and operational synergy between personnel of the two navies.
During the sea phase, participating units undertook a range of complex operational activities, including coordinated maritime manoeuvres, air operations, night replenishment-at-sea exercises and Special Forces drills.
The Special Forces component featured Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations and slithering exercises, providing valuable opportunities for both sides to refine operational coordination and improve interoperability in a realistic maritime environment.
According to the Indian Navy, SLINEX-26 reflects the robust maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka and underscores their shared commitment to ensuring a secure, stable and rules-based Indian Ocean Region.
The exercise also advances India’s MAHASAGAR vision and the government’s Neighbourhood First policy by promoting enhanced maritime cooperation, capacity building and greater operational integration among friendly regional navies.
