(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) The aircraft is being provided to Sri Lanka from the inventory
of the Indian Navy to help the country meet its immediate security
requirement.
The security of India and Sri Lanka is enhanced by mutual
understanding, mutual trust and cooperation, the Indian envoy said,
as India handed over a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft to
the Sri Lanka Navy to further boost bilateral defence
partnership.
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe was present at the
handover ceremony.
Vice Chief of Indian Navy Vice Admiral S N Ghormade, who is on a
two-day visit to the country, accompanied by Indian High
Commissioner in Colombo Gopal Baglay handed over the maritime
surveillance aircraft to the Sri Lanka Navy at the Sri Lanka
Airforce base in Katunayake adjoining the Colombo international
airport.
'Security of #India and #Srilanka is enhanced by mutual
understanding, mutual trust and cooperation. Gifting of Dornier 228
is #India's latest contribution to this cause,' High Commissioner
Baglay said at the handing over event.
'Like fruits of other areas of cooperation with India, the gift
of Dornier to @airforcelk is of relevance to and a step to meet its
requirements for maritime safety and security. It is an example of
India's strength adding to the strength of its friends,' he
said.
The ceremony took place as India celebrated the 75th anniversary
of its independence.
The aircraft is being provided to Sri Lanka from the inventory
of the Indian Navy to help the country meet its immediate security
requirement, sources in New Delhi said.
The Indian Navy has already provided extensive training to a
team from Sri Lanka's Navy and the Air Force to operate the
maritime surveillance aircraft.
'Sri Lanka has been a key partner of India and we will continue
to expand our bilateral defence cooperation in the months and years
to come,' a senior official said in New Delhi on condition of
anonymity.
Recalling the arrangement, the Sri Lankan officials earlier said
that during the Defence Dialogue between India and Sri Lanka held
in January 2018 in New Delhi, Sri Lanka had sought the possibility
of obtaining two Dornier Reconnaissance Aircraft from India to
enhance the maritime surveillance capabilities of the island
nation.
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