SLINEX-26: India and Sri Lanka Strengthen Maritime Cooperation Through Naval Exercise

SLINEX-26: India and Sri Lanka Strengthen Maritime Cooperation Through Naval Exercise

Introduction

• 13th Edition: India and Sri Lanka are taking part in the 13th edition of their annual bilateral naval exercise, SLINEX-26, at Visakhapatnam from 17 to 21 September 2026. The exercise started with the Harbour Phase and is followed by the Sea Phase.
• Exercise Name: SLINEX means Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise. It is an important naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Sri Lanka Navy. It gives both navies a chance to work together, improve their ability to operate together and understand each other’s working methods better.
• Maritime Partnership: The exercise is part of the continuing sea-based cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. It gives the two navies opportunities to interact with each other, work together during naval activities and share their knowledge and experience.

Naval Forces Participating

• Indian Navy: The Indian Navy is taking part with INS Kavaratti, an Indian-made Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette, and INS Jyoti, a Fleet Tanker. These two ships are representing the Indian Navy in SLINEX-26.
• Sri Lankan Navy: The Sri Lanka Navy is represented by SLNS Sindurala, which reached Visakhapatnam on 17 September 2026 to take part in the naval exercise. The Indian Navy welcomed the Sri Lankan ship according to naval traditions.
• Commanding Officers: On 18 September 2026, Captain Sunanda Appuhamy, the Commanding Officer of SLNS Sindurala, held official discussions with Commander Suraj Aiyappa, the Commanding Officer of INS Kavaratti. The discussions took place aboard the two ships.

Two Phases

• Harbour Phase
• Opening Ceremony: The Harbour Phase was conducted under the Eastern Naval Command. It started with an opening ceremony and a reception held on board INS Kavaratti for the crew of the visiting Sri Lankan ship, SLNS Sindurala.
• Professional Interaction: The Harbour Phase includes professional meetings and discussions between the personnel of the two navies. These interactions help the naval personnel share their knowledge, discuss work-related matters and understand each other’s way of working better.
• Cross-Deck Visits: Naval personnel take part in cross-deck visits, during which they visit each other’s ships. This helps the crews become familiar with the ships, working methods and naval procedures followed by the other navy.
• Best Practices: The two navies share their best practices and professional experience with each other. This helps both sides learn from each other and improve their understanding of naval work and operations.
• Social Activities: The Harbour Phase also includes Yoga, sports and cultural activities. These activities give the personnel of both countries more opportunities to interact with each other and help build friendly and professional relations.
• Sea Phase
• Sea Operations: After the Harbour Phase, the exercise moves to the Sea Phase, where the two navies carry out activities together at sea, off the eastern coast of India. According to the Sri Lanka Navy, the sea exercise is being conducted on 20 and 21 September 2026.
• Operational Synergy: The Sea Phase focuses on improving operational cooperation and interoperability. The two navies carry out activities together at sea so that they can practise working with each other during real maritime operations.
• Joint Coordination: The activities at sea help the two navies improve their ability to communicate, coordinate their actions and work together smoothly during maritime operations.

Main Objectives

• Maritime Cooperation: SLINEX-26 aims to improve maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka through regular contact between their navies and by carrying out naval activities together.
• Better Interoperability: The exercise aims to improve interoperability, which means helping the two navies understand each other’s methods and work together more smoothly during naval operations.
• Mutual Understanding: Regular meetings, ship visits and professional discussions help develop mutual understanding between the personnel of the Indian Navy and the Sri Lanka Navy.
• Professional Exchange: The personnel of both navies share their professional knowledge and best practices. They also take part in professional, cultural and other activities organised during the exercise.
• Operational Coordination: The Sea Phase gives special attention to improving operational coordination and cooperation through activities carried out jointly by the two navies at sea.

Indian Ocean Importance

• Maritime Security: SLINEX-26 supports India’s wider efforts to maintain a secure, stable and inclusive maritime environment in the Indian Ocean region.
• Regional Cooperation: India and Sri Lanka are neighbouring countries connected by the Indian Ocean. Regular naval cooperation gives both countries opportunities to improve their practical coordination and strengthen professional relations in the region.
• Shared Interests: The exercise gives India and Sri Lanka a common platform to cooperate on maritime matters and become more familiar with each other’s naval operations. It also supports the long-standing maritime partnership between the two countries.

MAHASAGAR Vision

• India’s Vision: SLINEX-26 is linked with India’s MAHASAGAR This vision focuses on cooperation, security and growth across the wider maritime region.
• Regional Security: Through this exercise, India continues to support the goal of a secure, stable and inclusive maritime environment. It also helps India strengthen practical maritime cooperation with Sri Lanka.
• Enduring Partnership: SLINEX-26 further strengthens the long-standing maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka. The exercise builds on many years of naval cooperation and regular joint activities between the two countries.

SLINEX Background

• 2005 Beginning: SLINEX was conceptualised in 2005. Since then, it has gradually become an important platform for maritime cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Sri Lanka Navy.
• Long Cooperation: Over the years, the exercise has helped improve maritime cooperation, interoperability and mutual understanding between the two navies. Regular meetings and joint activities have helped maintain close contact between their naval personnel.
• Previous Edition: The 12th edition, SLINEX-25, was held in Colombo from 14 to 18 August 2025. The Indian ships INS Jyoti and INS Rana and the Sri Lankan ships SLNS Gajabahu and SLNS Vijayabahu took part in that exercise.
• Continued Engagement: SLINEX-26 continues this regular naval cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. Professional interaction, ship visits and activities at sea remain important parts of the exercise.

Recent Defence Cooperation

• DIVEX-26 Exercise: India and Sri Lanka also held the fourth edition of the bilateral diving exercise, IN–SLN DIVEX-26, at Colombo from 21 to 28 April 2026. The exercise included the Indian Navy’s INS Nireekshak and diving teams from both navies.
• Operational Training: DIVEX-26 included advanced underwater activities such as deep-sea diving exercises and mixed-gas diving drills. These activities showed that India and Sri Lanka are also working together in specialised areas of naval training.
• Professional Engagement: Such bilateral activities support SLINEX by giving the two navies more opportunities to improve their operational coordination, technical knowledge and professional cooperation.

Significance of SLINEX-26

• Stronger Relations: SLINEX-26 further strengthens the maritime relationship between India and Sri Lanka by bringing their naval personnel together for regular interaction and joint naval activities.
• Operational Experience: The exercise gives personnel from both navies practical experience of working with another country’s naval force. They get an opportunity to understand and practise common procedures and coordinated activities.
• Professional Bonds: Cross-deck visits, professional discussions, sports, Yoga and cultural programmes give naval personnel from both countries more opportunities to interact. These activities help develop stronger professional and friendly relations between them.
• Maritime Environment: The exercise supports India’s commitment to a secure, stable and inclusive maritime environment. It also helps in the continued development of maritime cooperation and close naval relations between India and Sri Lanka.

Important Questions

1. What is SLINEX-26 and which two countries are participating in the exercise?
2. Where and from which date to which date is SLINEX-26 being conducted?
3. Which Indian and Sri Lankan naval ships are participating in SLINEX-26?
4. What are the main activities included in the Harbour Phase and Sea Phase of SLINEX-26?
5. How does SLINEX-26 strengthen maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka?

Conclusion

SLINEX-26 is the 13th India–Sri Lanka bilateral maritime exercise, being conducted at Visakhapatnam from 17 to 21 September 2026. With INS Kavaratti, INS Jyoti and SLNS Sindurala participating, the exercise combines professional interaction during the Harbour Phase with coordinated maritime activities during the Sea Phase. Its focus on maritime cooperation, interoperability, professional exchange and operational coordination further strengthens the long-standing maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka and supports a secure, stable and inclusive maritime environment.