Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday (September 8, 2026) for a three-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in defence and regional maritime security.
Mr. Singh is leading a high-level delegation comprising senior officials from the ministries of Defence and External Affairs. This is the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Sri Lanka in 38 years.
“Looking forward to a productive engagement with the leadership of Sri Lanka during the visit,” Mr. Singh said ahead of his visit to the island nation. Singh was received at the Bandaranaike International Airport by Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha, the Ministry of Defence said. Mr, according to the ministry. The frigate was received in accordance with naval traditions, the Sri Lanka Navy said. Sri Lanka Navy personnel will also visit the frigate for capability familiarisation, knowledge sharing and onboard training, it said.
