Politics

Admiral Dinesh K. Tirpathi, the Chief of the Naval Staff of India, met with Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, on Wednesday during the International Fleet Review held in Visakhapatnam. This meeting showcased the strong and lasting maritime relationship between the two neighboring navies, according to a spokesperson from the Indian Navy who shared the news on ‘X’. The discussion focused on ongoing operational ties, efforts to build capacity, and cooperation through activities like Exercise SLINEX, as well as regular training and professional exchanges. The International Fleet Review 2026 took place off the coast of Visakhapatnam, with participation from 74 countries. Indian President Droupadi Murmu observed the fleet from the INS Sumedha, an Indian-made Offshore Patrol Vessel. India's Ministry of Defence reported that 66 ships from India and 19 foreign vessels took part, along with three submarines from the Indian Navy and over 60 aircraft. The Sri Lanka Navy Ship (SLNS) Sagara and Nandimitra departed from the Port of Colombo on February 11 to join the multilateral naval exercise MILAN and the International Fleet Review hosted by the Indian Navy. The 13th edition of the exercise is scheduled to take place from February 17 to 25, 2026, in Visakhapatnam and the Bay of Bengal waters.