India is stepping up its maritime security efforts in the Indian Ocean region with significant activities involving both the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard. In a bid to strengthen cooperation with neighbouring nations, India is conducting joint exercises with Sri Lanka and the Maldives. These initiatives reflect India’s commitment to securing vital sea lanes and fostering closer ties with its maritime neighbours.
SLINEX-24
From December 17 to 20, the Indian Navy will participate in the annual SLINEX-24 (Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise) with the Sri Lankan Navy. This bilateral naval exercise, conducted under the Eastern Command, will take place in Visakhapatnam. The timing of this exercise is notable as Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is currently visiting India. During his visit, President Dissanayake met with Indian leaders, including President Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar. Dissanayake’s visit has been marked by a strong commitment to enhancing security cooperation, with a notable statement that Sri Lanka’s territory will not be used for anti-India activities. This remark is seen in light of growing concerns over Chinese military presence in the Indian Ocean, with increasing visits from Chinese warships and submarines.
About SLINEX-24
The SLINEX-24 exercise, which began in 2005, aims to bolster maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. This year’s exercise will be conducted in two phases. The first phase, the harbour phase, will take place from December 17 to 18, focusing on professional and social exchanges to foster mutual understanding between the two navies. The second phase, the sea phase, will occur from December 19 to 20 and will include joint exercises such as special forces operations, gun firing, communication drills, seamanship exercises, navigation evolutions, and helicopter operations.
India’s participation will include the Indian Naval Ship INS Sumitra, which will be accompanied by Special Forces commandos, while Sri Lanka will contribute the SLNS Sayura. The exercise is an important avenue for enhancing interoperability between the two naval forces, underscoring their shared interest in maintaining peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region.
In addition to the naval exercises, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is also strengthening maritime cooperation. On December 15, two Indian Coast Guard ships, ICGS Vaibhav and ICGS Abhiraj, arrived in the Maldives for a four-day port call at Male Port. This visit is part of their broader deployment to the Indian Ocean region and highlights India’s commitment to enhancing security cooperation with the Maldives. During their stay, the crew will engage in professional interactions with the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard (MNDF CG), focusing on critical maritime issues such as marine pollution response, search and rescue operations, and maritime law enforcement.
The collaboration will include cross-deck training, joint discussions, and friendly sporting events designed to strengthen camaraderie and professional ties between the Indian and Maldivian forces. According to the Indian Ministry of Defence, the visit underscores India’s ongoing efforts to foster regional stability and deepen its maritime partnerships.
These exercises and engagements are part of India’s broader strategy to secure its maritime interests and strengthen its ties with neighbouring countries, ensuring a peaceful and stable Indian Ocean region.