India hands over military equipment to Sri Lanka, strengthening partnerships
Colombo, June 16
The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka on Tuesday handed over military equipment to the Sri Lankan Army for their United Nations deployment under a grant of 5.5 million USD.
"Strengthening India-Sri Lanka defence bonds and enhancing operational readiness. Happy to hand over military stores from the Indian Army to the Sri Lankan Army for their UN deployment under a grant of 5.5 million USD," Santosh Jha, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, wrote on X.
"On Sri Lanka's request, India immediately mobilised these equipment for Sri Lanka's UN deployment- a testament to the confidence and trust in our defence relations," he added.
In April, India handed over two Personal Watercrafts (PWCs) and safety gear to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard.
The Indian government is assisting in enhancing the Sri Lanka Coast Guard's capability in near-shore Search and Rescue (SAR), the High Commission of India in Colombo said on its X handle.
The Defence Advisor of the High Commission handed over the equipment to the Director of Operations in a ceremony held at the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Headquarters in Mirissa.
As part of its continuous humanitarian outreach, India, on April 24, presented two BHISM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri) cubes to the Sri Lankan authorities under India's 'Aarogya Maitri' initiative.
The state-of-the-art portable medical units, capable of handling up to 200 emergency cases, are designed to provide rapid response and are equipped with essential medicines and surgical tools for basic procedures.
The medical units were delivered by the Indian Navy diving support and submarine rescue vessel, INS Nireekshak, which arrived at the port of Colombo on April 21 to participate in the 4th edition of IN-SLN DIVEX 2026, a bilateral diving exercise which was held till April 27.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While this is good for diplomacy, I hope we're not just giving away resources without getting something concrete in return. Sri Lanka has been leaning a bit too much on China lately. Still, helping them with UN deployments and coast guard capabilities is a smart way to keep our influence positive. 😊
Finally some good news on the diplomatic front! India's Aarogya Maitri initiative is brilliant - those BHISM cubes can treat 200 emergency cases each. Last month's DIVEX exercise with the Sri Lankan Navy also shows our military cooperation is getting stronger. Two Personal Watercrafts for their coast guard? Practical and helpful. Good job, India!
I'm a bit skeptical about handing over military equipment without more transparency. Is this part of a long-term defense pact? And what about the Tamil fishermen issue in the Palk Strait - are we getting any cooperation from Sri Lanka on that? Still, the humanitarian angle with medical units is definitely a plus. Let's hope this partnership benefits both sides equally.
This is what 'Neighbourhood First' policy looks like in action! From military stores to medical cubes, India is covering all bases. The timing is perfect too - with China trying to expand influence in the Indian Ocean, this strengthens our strategic position. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
Great initiative! But I wish our media would cover such positive stories more instead of just focusing on controversies. India helping Sri Lanka with UN deployment and coast guard capabilities is exactly the kind of soft power we need. The BHISM cubes are a game-changer for emergency response in the region. More of
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