Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi Visits Sri Lanka to Strengthen Maritime Ties
Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff, begins a 4-day visit to Sri Lanka to boost defence ties, attend Galle Dialogue 2025, and discuss maritime security cooperation.
New Delhi/Colombo, 22 September 2025 - Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of India, has embarked on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka from 22nd to 25th September 2025, aimed at reinforcing the longstanding defence cooperation and maritime partnership between the two neighbouring nations.
During his visit, Admiral Tripathi will hold high-level meetings with Hon'ble Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, and engage in bilateral discussions with the Chiefs of Sri Lanka's Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as other senior government officials. The agenda includes a comprehensive review of defence collaboration with special emphasis on maritime security, training cooperation, capability enhancement, and exploring new avenues for strategic engagement.
Participation in Galle Dialogue 2025
One of the highlights of the visit will be Admiral Tripathi's participation in the 12th edition of the Galle Dialogue 2025, an esteemed international maritime conference hosted annually in Colombo. This year's theme - "Maritime Outlook of the Indian Ocean under Changing Dynamics" - aligns closely with India's regional maritime priorities and underscores the importance of collaborative maritime security in the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific.
The Indian Navy has been a consistent and active participant in the Galle Dialogue, recognizing it as a vital platform for regional navies and stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue on maritime strategy, cooperation, and shared security concerns.
Strengthening Bilateral Naval Cooperation
India and Sri Lanka share a deep-rooted naval partnership grounded in geography, culture, and mutual maritime interests. The Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy regularly engage through:
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Annual Defence Dialogues & Staff Talks
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Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercises (SLINEX)
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Passage Exercises (PASSEX)
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Hydrographic Cooperation & Training Exchanges
Additionally, both navies collaborate in several multilateral forums, including the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), MILAN, Goa Maritime Conclave, Colombo Security Conclave, and the Galle Dialogue itself.
These ongoing engagements form the bedrock of a comprehensive maritime partnership that continues to evolve in response to regional and global maritime challenges.
A Vision for the Indian Ocean: 'MAHASAGAR'
The visit is also a reflection of India's growing emphasis on regional maritime diplomacy under the vision of 'MAHASAGAR', which focuses on Maritime Awareness, Security, Assistance, Growth, And Regional cooperation. The Chief of Naval Staff's engagements in Colombo are structured to deepen bilateral bonds, enhance strategic understanding, and reinforce India's commitment to the peace and stability of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Reaffirming Time-Tested Relations
Admiral Tripathi's visit comes at a time when India and Sri Lanka are increasingly looking toward integrated maritime development and joint regional responses to transnational threats, such as piracy, illegal fishing, and climate-related maritime disruptions.
This high-level visit reaffirms the time-tested, multifaceted relationship between India and Sri Lanka, built on the pillars of mutual respect, maritime trust, and a shared vision for peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean.
