DD Correspondent
Colombo: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the growing maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka, describing the commissioning of the jointly established Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre as a strong example of the two countries’ shared commitment to keeping the Indian Ocean safe and secure.
Rajnath Singh said India is ready to support Lanka through capacity-building programmes, joint exercises and sharing of expertise to strengthen maritime cooperation and improve operational protocols.
He envisioned India and Lanka becoming joint stakeholders in developing an integrated Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) system that would provide real-time maritime information. Such cooperation, he said, could help address challenges including illegal fishing, suspicious vessel tracking, narcotics trafficking, smuggling, terrorism and other maritime security threats.
Referring to the challenges faced by fishermen, the Defence Minister stressed the need for both countries to address the issue together. He said maritime cooperation should extend beyond security to areas such as aquaculture, marine biotechnology, ocean science, environmental protection and maritime tourism.
He also proposed exploring a joint Maritime Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) system to enable a coordinated and rapid response to natural and man-made disasters.
Rajnath Singh said the changing strategic and economic landscape of the Indian Ocean presents both challenges and opportunities, which India and Sri Lanka must address through closer cooperation. He emphasized that maritime security and mutual prosperity are closely linked and expressed confidence that both countries can jointly contribute to peace, security and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha and other senior officials were present on the occasion.
Earlier, Rajnath Singh received a Guard of Honour upon his arrival at the Ministry of Defence. He also laid a wreath at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial in Battaramulla and paid homage to the personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
