Colombo, April 29 — India and Sri Lanka reinforced their growing maritime cooperation during the fourth edition of the bilateral diving exercise IN‑SLN DIVEX 2026, conducted in Colombo from April 21–28, the Indian Navy said.
The exercise featured the Indian Navy’s diving support and submarine rescue ship INS Nireekshak alongside diving detachments from both navies, focused on improving operational coordination and professional interoperability. IN‑SLN DIVEX is a specialised forum for complex underwater operations, aimed at strengthening joint search, rescue and salvage capabilities.
Training evolutions included advanced deep‑sea procedures such as mixed‑gas diving, with both harbour and open‑sea drills demonstrating technical proficiency. A highlight was mixed‑gas dives over World War‑era wrecks SS Worcester and SS Perseus, where divers from India and Sri Lanka executed successful deep dives beyond 55 metres, enhancing shared expertise in sub-surface operations.
Rear Admiral SJ Kumara, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Area, visited INS Nireekshak during the exercise and commended the Indian Navy’s ongoing assistance in training Sri Lankan divers, underlining the value of exchanging best practices and specialist knowledge.
Beyond operational work, the programme included goodwill activities to build personal ties: a beach clean‑up at Galle Face, friendly sports matches and joint yoga sessions. The commanding officer of INS Nireekshak also paid respects at the IPKF Memorial, laying a wreath for Indian soldiers who lost their lives during Indian Peace Keeping Force operations in Sri Lanka.
As part of humanitarian cooperation, two BHISM cubes were handed over under India’s Aarogya Maitri initiative to support disaster response and medical preparedness. Upon completion, INS Nireekshak was given a ceremonial send‑off, reflecting the close relationships between the two navies.
IN‑SLN DIVEX 2026 underscores sustained bilateral collaboration in line with the MAHASAGAR vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and a shared commitment to peace, stability and security in the Indian Ocean region, the Indian Navy said. (ANI)
