India, Sri Lanka Begin Sea Exercises

After restoring defense ties last year, India and Sri Lanka have begun joint naval exercises.

The six-day exercise, code named SLINEX-11, began Sept. 19 and will include 16 warships - from India, the Navy's new stealth frigate Shivalik, a Rajput-class destroyer and a missile corvette; and from Sri Lanka, two large off-shore patrol vessels, one fast-missile vessel, two fast gun boats and six fast-attack craft.

New Delhi is strengthening bonds with its near neighbors, including Sri Lanka, to stave off any attempt by China to establish ties with them, said Zachariah Mathews, a retired Indian Navy commodore. "India cannot afford to allow China to make inroads into Sri Lanka as the island nation is strategically located."

India, which has supplied two warships, hand-held missiles, air defense radar and other weaponry to the island nation, has held joint land-based exercises with Sri Lanka in the past. Defense ties between the two countries have been on the increase, especially since the fall of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE ) militants in 2009.

India also sent troops to Sri Lanka for demining missions.

Sri Lanka canceled weapon purchases from China and Pakistan after the LTTE surrendered.

Defense News