Indian Navy training squadron to conclude Sri Lanka Visit
The Indian Navy’s 1st Training Squadron—composed of six ships—will conclude its visit to Sri Lanka today.
During the four-day visit the Indian and the Sri Lankan naval forces conducted joint drills near the coast of the Sri Lankan port city of Trincomalee. The occasion has been a vital opportunity for the two nations to further boost their cooperation in regional security.
In addition to conjoining naval efforts to maintain maritime security in the Indian Ocean, India and Sri Lanka will also likely improve bilateral trade volume. By this token, amidst the island-nation’s fertilizer shortage—caused by a harmful bacteria found in Chinese imported fertilizers—Sri Lanka will alternatively turn towards importing Indian nano nitrogen organic fertilizer. Therefore, expect the two to further develop their trade relations with one another in the short-term.
This relationship development is part of a strategy by India to solidify its ties with Sri Lanka, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “neighborhood first policy.” With this endeavor India is looking to ward-off China’s involvement in Sri Lanka, cautious of Beijing’s investments through the Belt and Road Initiative which have already forced Sri Lanka to lease out its southern Hambantota Port.
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