Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Colombo on 8 September 2026 for an official visit to Sri Lanka from 8–10 September, marking a significant engagement in the longstanding bilateral relationship between India and Sri Lanka.
Singh was received at Bandaranaike International Airport by Sri Lankan Deputy Defence Minister Maj Gen Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha.
The Defence Minister received a warm and traditional welcome from the Sri Lankan side, reflecting the close and enduring ties between the two countries.
The visit comes as part of continued high-level engagement between India and Sri Lanka, with defence cooperation forming an important component of the bilateral relationship.
During his three-day visit, Singh will engage with the Sri Lankan leadership as part of India’s ongoing bilateral defence and security engagement with its maritime neighbour.
India and Sri Lanka share longstanding ties across a range of areas, including defence and security. The two countries maintain regular institutional and military-level interactions, contributing to continued engagement between their respective defence establishments.
Singh’s visit provides an opportunity for continued high-level engagement between the two sides and further underscores the importance attached by India to its relationship with Sri Lanka.
The warm reception accorded to the Defence Minister on arrival also highlighted the close, friendly and enduring bonds between India and Sri Lanka.
