Sri Lankan : Meeting with the commander of the Army, COAS Upendra Dwivedi talks about methods to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries
Sri Lankan: Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), Deputy Minister of Defence, and Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Secretary of Defence, Sri Lanka, met with Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Thursday to discuss ways to improve military-to-military relations and bilateral defense cooperation.
Their discussions centered on strengthening strategic connections, increasing collaborative military training, and analyzing the region’s present geostrategic environment.
Both parties reiterated their mutual commitment to advancing peace and stability in the area. “Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), Deputy Minister of Defense, and Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Secretary of Defense, Sri Lanka, had talks with #GeneralUpendraDwivedi, #COAS. As a reflection of India and Sri Lanka’s shared commitment to regional security, stability, and a long-lasting defense partnership, the Indian Army posted on X that the meeting’s main objectives were to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation, improve military-to-military engagement, including cooperation for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and strengthen collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
Following the January 8 India-Sri Lanka Army-to-Army Staff meetings at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff in New Delhi, this meeting was held. Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), Deputy Minister of Defence, and Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Secretary of Defence, led the Sri Lankan delegation in a discussion on ways to improve the two armies’ interoperability, fortify their defence relations, and expand their wider defence partnership. In order to promote regional security, both parties decided to keep up their efforts to build a solid India-Sri Lanka friendship.
Earlier, on his official visit to Sri Lanka, General Dwivedi honored the Indian troops who lost their lives in Operation Pawan by laying a wreath at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial in Colombo.
The wreath-laying ceremony was a moment of silent remembrance and respect for the courageous soldiers who gave their lives during the Indian Army’s deployment in Sri Lanka between 1987 and 1990 in the service of peace, stability, and regional harmony, according to a post made on X by the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI).
In addition to commemorating the Army’s role in peacekeeping operations and reflecting the unwavering commitment to regional security and stability, the ADGPI stated that the IPKF Memorial stands as a lasting tribute to the bravery, professionalism, and valour of Indian Army troops who served under difficult circumstances during the mission.