Sri Lankan Military Delegation Visits India's National Defence Academy to Bolster Defence Cooperation
A significant stride in military cooperation was marked this week as a Sri Lankan Army delegation, led by Brigadier R T Lokuthotahewa, Commandant of the Army School of Logistics, visited the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla. This visit aims to strengthen bilateral defense relations, establish institutional connections, and enhance interoperability between the armed forces of Sri Lanka and India.
During their visit, the delegation was introduced to the NDA's integrated training model, which unites Army, Navy, and Air Force cadets within a consolidated academic and military setting. The NDA, spanning 7,015 acres, has been instrumental in training both Indian and foreign military leaders since 1954. The visit featured ceremonial memento exchanges alongside comprehensive discussions on training programs, leadership development, and institutional best practices.
This visit is part of a broader initiative under India's ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (SAGAR) policies, which emphasize regional maritime and strategic collaboration. It also complements existing frameworks like the ‘Mitra Shakti’ joint exercises and defense training exchanges. A study by the Indian Council of World Affairs recently highlighted the importance of these engagements in building trust and operational synergy in the Indian Ocean Region.
The visit to the NDA is anticipated to facilitate opportunities for joint research, officer exchange programs, and integrated leadership courses, thereby fortifying shared military values and operational compatibility. As both nations face evolving regional challenges and growing geopolitical competition in the Indian Ocean, such interactions affirm their positions as key security stakeholders and reliable strategic partners.
