Article Posted on : - Dec 29, 2010

A file photo

COLOMBO (BNS): India and Sri Lanka navies will hold a joint naval exercise next year as part of a series of measures to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries.

The Indian Defence Secretary Shri Pradeep Kumar and his Sri Lankan counterpart Mr Gotabhaya Rajapakse also decided to hold formal annual defence dialogue and staff level talks between the Navy and Armies of the two countries beginning next year.

Senior officers of the three Services, Coast Guard, MoD and the Ministry of External Affairs also took part in the discussion on Monday.

‘Both countries have common security concerns including the security and safety of sea lanes of communication. Both sides agreed that these common concerns will form the basis for bilateral exchanges, a defence ministry statement said.

The two sides also reviewed the major ongoing projects, including reactivation of airfields in war torn areas of Sri Lanka. It was decided that the Chief of Indian Air Force will visit Sri Lanka next month.