With eye on China, India to step-up military ties with Sri Lanka and Maldives
Posted on October 20th, 2014
The Times of India
NEW DELHI : India will further step-up defence cooperation with Sri Lanka and Maldives, including assistance in “capacity-building” of their armed forces through both training and supply of equipment, in tune with the overall policy to steadily boost military ties with countries in Indian Ocean to counter China’s strategic inroads in the region.
Defence minister Arun Jaitley on Monday held a meeting with visiting Sri Lankan defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakshe, the brother of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, to discuss ways to expand the bilateral military relationship. On Tuesday, Jaitley will hold similar discussions with Maldivian defence and national security minister Mohamed Nazim, who is on a three-day trip to India.
As for Sri Lanka, India is going to supply two naval offshore patrol vessels and other military equipment to the island nation. India has earlier provided 24 L-70 guns, 24 battle-field surveillance radars, 11 USFM radars, four Indra-II radars and 10 mine-protected vehicles, among other things, to the Sri Lankan forces. Moreover, around 800 to 900 Sri Lankan military personnel are trained in Indian military establishments every year.
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October 21st, 2014 at 11:48 pm
We must not forget the adage “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts”. Whatever it bodes well to keep them at arms length and handling them with a barge pole to boot. Ginipellen bata kapu miniha Kalamediriyatath Bayayi!
October 22nd, 2014 at 12:07 am
Too good to be true. because Gota went there I have to trust.
I was worried this is going to be another CFA to handover the North quickly and enjoy Lamborghinis.