Indian Army Chief meets Sri Lankan Defence leaders, discusses 'enhanced cooperation'

Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane on Wednesday, October 13 met Sri Lankan Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd). Naravane also met Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of Sri Lankan Army General Shavendra Silva. During meeting, y expressed interest in exploring new avenues for strengning India-Sri Lanka defence ties. 

General Naravane meets Sri Lankan Defence Secretary and Chief of Defence Staff

On Tuesday, October 12, General MM Naravane arrived in Sri Lanka, where he was welcomed by General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of Sri Lankan Army at airport.

Taking to Twitter, Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka informed about meeting between Indian Army Chief General Naravane, Sri Lankan Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) and Commander of Sri Lankan Army General Shavendra Silva.

Indian Army also informed about meeting on Twitter. Indian Army in a tweet, said, "General MM Naravane #COAS called on General GDH Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) Secretary, Ministry of Defence and discussed steps to take forward excellent defence cooperation between Sri Lanka and India."

Revealing details of meeting between General Silva and General Naravane, Indian Army in a tweet said that two army chiefs discussed issues related to strengning bilateral defence cooperation between two countries. On 13th October, Naravane met Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

During meeting, y discussed issues of "mutual and strategic cooperation". General MM Naravane laid a wreath at Indian Peace Keeping Force War Memorial and paid tributes to Indian Army soldiers who laid down ir lives during Peace Keeping Operations in Sri Lanka. 

In a Twitter post, Indian Army said that during his four-day visit to Sri Lanka from October 12 to October 16, General Naravane will be meeting civilian and military leership of island nation.

As per government press release, General Naravane, during his visit, will be interacting with Service Chiefs, visit Hequarters of Sri Lankan Army - Gajaba Regimental Hequarters, and Sri Lankan Military Acemy.

Ministry of Defence informed that Chief of Army Staff will witness culmination phase of joint exercise between India and Sri Lanka, "Exercise Mitra Shakti". Later, Gen Naravane will also dress students and faculty at Defence Services Command and Staff College at Batalanda. 

Image: Twitter/@IndiainSL