Colombo — General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff of India, visited the Sri Lanka Army Headquarters in Colombo on Thursday in a move officials described as reinforcing the growing military cooperation between the two countries.

General Dwivedi was received by senior commanders of the Sri Lanka Army, including Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage. The visit focused on discussions to enhance bilateral defence ties and shared efforts in training, humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Speaking at the headquarters, General Dwivedi highlighted the “longstanding friendship” between India and Sri Lanka and reiterated the importance of collaborative security initiatives in the region.

“India and Sri Lanka share deep historical and cultural links. Our armed forces remain committed to working together for peace, stability and mutual security,” he said.

Sri Lanka Army Commander Lieutenant General Liyanage welcomed the visit, noting the importance of continued engagement through training exchanges, defence dialogue and support for operational readiness.

The discussions included senior officers from both armies, focusing on initiatives to strengthen interoperability and enhance capabilities in areas such as counter-terrorism, peacekeeping and humanitarian support operations. Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining regional security and addressing emerging challenges through cooperation.

The visit underscores New Delhi’s strategic outreach to regional partners and reflects Colombo’s intent to further deepen defence relations with India across a spectrum of military and strategic interests.