Indian naval ship 'Delhi' arrives at Colombo port ahead of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's Sri Lanka visit

SECTIONS

ANILast Updated: Sep 01, 2023, 10:52 PM IST

Font Size

Save

Comment

Synopsis

The Indian Naval Ship 'Delhi' has arrived in Colombo for a formal visit, ahead of Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's planned visit to Sri Lanka. The ship, manned by a crew of 450, will participate in various programs organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to promote cooperation between the two navies. Training exchanges are also scheduled to take place.

**EDS: IMAGE VIA INDIAN NAVY** Sihanoukville: Indian Naval ships Delhi and Satpu... — Indian Naval ship Delhi

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) 'Delhi' arrived at the port of Colombo on a formal visit on Friday, the Sri Lankan Navy said, ahead of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to the island nation.

The 163.2 metre-long Destroyer was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval tradition.

Manned by a crew of 450, the ship is commanded by Captain Abhishek Kumar, the Sri Lankan Navy said in a statement on Friday.

The ship's Commanding Officer called on Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva, at the Western Naval Command Headquarters early on Friday.

During its three-day stay in Sri Lanka, the crew will take part in several programmes organised by the Sri Lanka Navy, with a view to promoting cooperation and goodwill between the two navies.

Training exchanges are also scheduled to be held aboard, involving personnel from both the navies.

The crew are expected to visit some of the tourist attractions in the country, the statement said, adding that arrangements have been made to open the ship for the visit of school children.

INS 'Delhi' is expected to depart Sri Lanka on September 3 and will conduct a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with a ship of the Sri Lanka Navy off Colombo, the statement said.

Defence Minister Singh was visiting Sri Lanka for two days on September 2 and 3 which is now defrred.

Singh was to hold talks with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, the defence ministry said. Wickremesinghe also holds the charge of Sri Lanka's defence ministry.

The ministry said the entire gamut of India's defence ties between the two countries will be reviewed during the meetings.

"This visit of Rajnath Singh will reiterate India's continued commitment to furthering the existing warm and friendly relations with Sri Lanka," the ministry said.

"It will be an important landmark in building the strong bonds of friendship between the two countries," it added.

Friday, 01 Sep, 2023

Experience Your Economic Times Newspaper, The Digital Way!

Read Complete Print Edition »

Front Page
Pure Politics
ET Markets
Smart Investing
Learn more about our print editionMore

Strong Start: Q1 GDP Growth at 1-yr High of 7.8%
India’s economy expanded 7.8% in the June quarter from a year earlier, accelerating further from the 6.1% growth recorded in the preceding quarter.
Torrent Switches To Top Gear in Chase for Cipla
Torrent Pharma is cranking up its efforts to put together financing to buy out the promoter family of Cipla, said several people with knowledge of the matter, emerging as a key contender to conclude the largest pharma sector acquisition in the country till date.
Two FPIs Linked to Adani Group acted as Fronts for Promoters, says OCCRP
OCCRP, a global collective of investigative journalists backed by billionaire George Soros and others, on Thursday said it has uncovered a trail of financial transactions to show that Adani Group promoters indulged in share price manipulation of at least four group company stocks via undisclosed related entities.