NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Sri Lanka on September 8 for a three-day official visit to the island nation, aimed at deepening bilateral defence and maritime cooperation.
He was warmly welcomed at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo by Sri Lankan Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha.
“Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath arrived in Colombo on an official visit to Sri Lanka from 08–10 September 2026. He was received at Bandaranaike International Airport by Deputy Minister of Defence Maj Gen Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Shri Santosh Jha. Raksha Mantri received a warm and traditional welcome from the Sri Lankan side, reflecting the close and enduring ties between India and Sri Lanka,” the Ministry of Defence posted on X.
During his visit, Rajnath will hold talks with the Lankan leadership on various issues to further strengthen bilateral ties in mutually beneficial areas, including a strong maritime and defence partnership. He will lead a high-level delegation comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of External Affairs.
“Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh today left for Sri Lanka on a 3-day visit to the island nation. Leading a high-level delegation, Raksha Mantri will hold talks with the leadership of Sri Lanka on a range of issues to further strengthen traditionally strong and friendly bilateral relations in mutually beneficial areas, including a strong maritime and defence partnership. He will also interact with the Indian diaspora in Colombo during the visit,” the Ministry of Defence wrote on X.
