India underscores security and defence in overall partnership with SL

Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha emphasized that security and defense are crucial elements of the Indo-Lanka partnership. During a recent meeting with ANI in Colombo, Jha noted that the bilateral engagement has intensified over the past two to three years, with frequent ministerial-level visits between the two nations. The visit of Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscores the ongoing defense cooperation initiatives and the exchange of notes on progress made in various defense issues.

Jha stressed that the partnership is multifaceted, encompassing security, defense, connectivity, energy, development, and people-to-people exchanges. He highlighted the recent signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between India and Sri Lanka, which have further expanded the scope of their collaboration.

The High Commissioner also pointed to the growing economic and commercial dimensions of the partnership, noting that India has become the largest trade partner of Sri Lanka and the second largest destination for Sri Lankan exports. This aligns with the objective of the free trade agreement signed between the two nations, which aimed to provide greater access to the Indian market for Sri Lanka and benefit from Indian market access for Indian companies.

Furthermore, Jha highlighted the surge in investment from India into Sri Lanka, with more than 50% of investments in the country coming from Indian companies in 2025. He also emphasized the significance of tourism as a major source of prosperity for Sri Lanka, with India being the largest source of tourist traffic.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's three-day visit to Colombo is part of a broader strategy to strengthen bilateral maritime and security cooperation between the two countries.