Rajnath Singh Embarks on Historic Visit to Sri Lanka to Enhance Defence Ties
By Editor • September 8, 2026 • 1 min read
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has landed in Sri Lanka for a significant three-day visit aimed at bolstering diplomatic and military relations between the two nations. His arrival on September 8, 2026, marks the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Sri Lanka in 38 years, reflecting a renewed commitment to cooperation in defence and maritime security.
Upon his arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, Singh was warmly welcomed by Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara, Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Defence, and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha. Singh expressed enthusiasm about engaging with Sri Lankan leadership, emphasizing the deep-rooted historical and civilizational ties that bind the two countries.
Accompanying Singh is a high-level delegation consisting of senior officials from the Defence and External Affairs ministries. Coinciding with his visit, the Indian Navy's INS Udaygiri, a state-of-the-art stealth guided-missile frigate, docked at Colombo port. The Sri Lanka Navy plans to engage with the INS Udaygiri’s crew for training and knowledge-sharing activities, further enhancing naval cooperation.
Source: www.thehindu.com
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