Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to undertake a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka during the first week of next month.
This will be his first visit to Sri Lanka as Defence Minister. Discussions are expected to focus on the expedited implementation of the defence cooperation memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries in April last year.
During the visit, Rajnath Singh is expected to meet President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who also serves as Defence Minister, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Defence Ministry Secretary retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha and the commanders of the three armed forces.
The five-year agreement covers several areas, including defence cooperation between the two countries, joint military exercises, exchanges in disaster relief services, naval port visits and cooperation in the defence industry.
The two sides are also expected to discuss expediting projects such as the electricity grid interconnection project, the Sampur solar power project and the development of Trincomalee as an energy hub.
Discussions will also be held on the modernisation and rehabilitation of Kankesanthurai Port under a grant of US$61.5 million.
Steps are also expected to be taken to expedite the tender process for Sri Lanka’s unique digital identity card project.
