INDIA–SRI LANKA BILATERAL MARITIME EXERCISE SLINEX-26 CONCLUDED AT VISAKHAPATNAM

The 13th edition of the India–Sri Lanka bilateral maritime exercise, SLINEX-26, concluded at Visakhapatnam after being conducted from 17–21 September 2026. The exercise involved both a harbour phase, featuring professional exchanges, cross-deck visits, and sporting interactions, and a sea phase, which included coordinated maritime manoeuvres, air operations, night replenishment at sea, and Special Forces drills like Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) and slithering operations. According to the Ministry of Defence, the exercise aimed to enhance professional interactions, best practices, and interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Sri Lanka Navy, reflecting bilateral ties and a shared commitment toward a secure Indian Ocean Region under India’s MAHASAGAR vision and Neighbourhood First policy.