Signalling the dawn of a new epoch in the country’s relations with its ancestral neighbour, India, the new government’s Defence Secretary, Mr Shri R.K Mathur with a four-member delegation, arrived in Sri Lanka Thursday (9) afternoon to pursue the 2nd round of the Sri Lanka-India Annual Defence Dialogue (ADD).
The delegation, headed by Mr Shri R.K Mathur, Defence Secretary of India, is comprised of Joint Secretary, Shri Ram Suhag Singhe, Joint Secretary, Smt Suchitra Durai, Rear Admiral, R.B Pandit, Indian Navy and Major General Rustam Patnaik, Indian Army and will stay in Sri Lanka for two days. Major General Prasad Samarasinghe, Chief of Staff of the Army, welcomed the delegation on arrival at the Katunayake airport.
The itinerary of the first day began with the courtesy call on his Sri Lanka’s counterpart, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Urban Development who also has been the host.
Mutual exchange of views and matters of bilateral importance, touched the brief and formal meeting before both of them, exchanged mementos, symbolizing sound relations that prevail between two nations in a spirit of brotherhood, goodwill and understanding.
The 2nd Sri Lanka-India Annual Defence Dialogue afterwards, commenced at the MoD main conference hall with both Mr Shri R.K Mathur and Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, representing Sri Lanka’s interests, presiding at the head table.
The 2nd Sri Lanka-India ADD, a form of a diplomatic overture, taking place twice a year with the objective of further fostering neighbourly relations and understanding, mainly focuses on maritime security, national security issues of both countries and relationships, if any, common security interests, exchange of vital data and information, exchange of tri-service training programmes, enhancement of further cooperation between both security establishments, and a few other issues of relevance to both nations.
The forum, attended by Additional and Assistant Secretaries of the MoD, Chief of Defence Staff, Commanders of the Army, Navy and the Air Force, senior officials of the MoD and a selected group of relevant authorities lasted nearly for two hours in a milieu of friendliness and cooperation.
The Indian delegation will also grace a dinner treat, hosted by Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Battaramulla Waters Edge Hotel in their honour.
On Friday (10), the visiting Defence Secretary of India Mr Shri R.K Mathur, is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the President’s House, Kandy.
The remainder of the itinerary covers visits to Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of Tooth Relic), Galle Dutch Fort and the wreath-laying ceremony at Battramulla IPKF War Memorial before the delegation pays a courtesy call on the High Commissioner of India in Colombo.
The delegation, headed by Mr Shri R.K Mathur, Defence Secretary of India, is comprised of Joint Secretary, Shri Ram Suhag Singhe, Joint Secretary, Smt Suchitra Durai, Rear Admiral, R.B Pandit, Indian Navy and Major General Rustam Patnaik, Indian Army and will stay in Sri Lanka for two days. Major General Prasad Samarasinghe, Chief of Staff of the Army, welcomed the delegation on arrival at the Katunayake airport.
The itinerary of the first day began with the courtesy call on his Sri Lanka’s counterpart, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Urban Development who also has been the host.
Mutual exchange of views and matters of bilateral importance, touched the brief and formal meeting before both of them, exchanged mementos, symbolizing sound relations that prevail between two nations in a spirit of brotherhood, goodwill and understanding.
The 2nd Sri Lanka-India Annual Defence Dialogue afterwards, commenced at the MoD main conference hall with both Mr Shri R.K Mathur and Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, representing Sri Lanka’s interests, presiding at the head table.
The 2nd Sri Lanka-India ADD, a form of a diplomatic overture, taking place twice a year with the objective of further fostering neighbourly relations and understanding, mainly focuses on maritime security, national security issues of both countries and relationships, if any, common security interests, exchange of vital data and information, exchange of tri-service training programmes, enhancement of further cooperation between both security establishments, and a few other issues of relevance to both nations.
The forum, attended by Additional and Assistant Secretaries of the MoD, Chief of Defence Staff, Commanders of the Army, Navy and the Air Force, senior officials of the MoD and a selected group of relevant authorities lasted nearly for two hours in a milieu of friendliness and cooperation.
The Indian delegation will also grace a dinner treat, hosted by Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Battaramulla Waters Edge Hotel in their honour.
On Friday (10), the visiting Defence Secretary of India Mr Shri R.K Mathur, is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the President’s House, Kandy.
The remainder of the itinerary covers visits to Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of Tooth Relic), Galle Dutch Fort and the wreath-laying ceremony at Battramulla IPKF War Memorial before the delegation pays a courtesy call on the High Commissioner of India in Colombo.
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