10th March 2022 18:28:57 Hours
The Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet (FOCWF) Rear Admiral Sameer Saxena, NM on board the Indian Navy’s latest stealth guided missile destroyer INS Chennai, now anchored in Colombo extended courtesies to General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army this morning (10) at the Army Headquarters.
The brief and cordial meeting between both of them focused on existing bilateral defence cooperation and friendly ties that prevail between members of the armed forces of both countries.
General Shavendra Silva as the Chief of Defence Staff lent his greetings to the Chief of Staff of the Indian Navy and appreciated Rear Admiral Sameer Saxena’s visit to the country as part of the South and South West fleet.
“Your continued maritime surveillance on drug smuggling and prevention of drug trafficking has enormously facilitated Sri Lanka Navy operations to the same effect, and such co-operation reinforces existing bonds of our understanding and goodwill further as neighbours in the region. Let me also extend my highest regards and sincere gratitude to both Chief of Naval Staff of India and your Southern Command for all the support being given to Sri Lankan counterparts by the Indian Coastal Guard fleet who closely liaise with us”, General Shavendra Silva added.
“Not only that, regular maritime exercises and exposures, launched with the best support of your Navy have contributed to the security of the region and people, engaged in fishing. We remember how the Indian Navy supported Sri Lanka during the height of our terrorist problem that spanned more than three decades. Perhaps you would have been a very young officer when Sri Lanka was fighting against this menace. I am pretty sure that your short stay will also assist in finding practical solutions to prevailing minor incidents, related to fishing communities with a broader sense understanding and correct approach, although some of those issues have been blown out of proportions”, the Chief of Defence Staff remarked.
“The Indian Navy has right throughout been a close friend of its Sri Lankan counterparts by regularly participating in Navy to Navy talks, ‘Galle Dialog’, bilateral Naval exercises, etc, for which we are very grateful”, General Shavendra Silva told the Indian flag officer.
Rear Admiral Sameer Saxena in response expressed his gratitude to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva for the courtesy meeting and said that many of Sri Lankan members of the armed forces somehow or other had the chance of following professional training courses in India or vice versa. Many of them are so attached to Indian brethren and speak high of camaraderie and mutual friendships they have developed whenever they meet.
He also recalled the use of off-shore vessels that were manufactured in the Sri Lankan dockyard some time ago, some of which are still in use and requested the Chief of Defence Staff to restart the manufacture process for the best interests of both organizations.
The vising Rear Admiral Sameer Saxena who received the baton from Rear Admiral Ajay Kochhar, NM is a reputed Navigation and Direction Specialist in the Indian Navy and has served a number of key appointments in the Indian Navy.
Rear Admiral Sameer Saxena also told the Commander of the Army on the importance of sustaining bilateral cooperation projects between both countries. Towards the end of the interactions, General Shavendra Silva awarded a memento to Rear Admiral Sameer Saxena, NM.
Defence Adviser at High Commission of India, Captain Ashok Rao was also associated with the courtesy meeting at the Army Headquarters.
During his stay in Sri Lanka Rear Admiral Sameer Saxena is expected to pay courtesy calls on Secretary to Foreign Ministry, Secretary to Defence and Commander of the Navy.
