SLINEX 26: India, Sri Lanka reaffirm Indian Ocean security at Visakhapatnam
Synopsis
SLINEX 26 isn't just a routine drill — it is the 13th chapter of a two-decade maritime compact between India and Sri Lanka, now explicitly anchored to India's MAHASAGAR vision. Coming weeks after INS Udaygiri's Colombo visit and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's landmark Sri Lanka trip, the Visakhapatnam exercise signals that India is methodically deepening its naval footprint with its closest island neighbour as Indian Ocean competition intensifies.
Key Takeaways
The 13th edition of SLINEX 26 is being held in Visakhapatnam from 17–21 September 2026 .
INS Kavaratti (ASW Corvette) and INS Jyoti (Fleet Tanker) represent the Indian Navy; SLNS Sindurala represents the Sri Lanka Navy.
The exercise includes a Harbour Phase (professional interactions, cross-deck visits, cultural activities) and a Sea Phase (operational interoperability drills).
SLINEX was conceptualised in 2005 and is aligned with India's MAHASAGAR maritime security vision.
Earlier in September, INS Udaygiri visited Colombo (8–11 Sep 2026), coinciding with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's landmark Sri Lanka trip.
India and Sri Lanka reinforced their bilateral maritime partnership with the 13th edition of SLINEX 26, a joint naval exercise hosted at Visakhapatnam from 17 to 21 September 2026. The exercise, the Indian Navy spokesperson confirmed, underscores both nations' shared commitment to a secure Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Key Developments
Sri Lanka Naval Ship (SLNS) Sindurala arrived at Visakhapatnam to participate in the exercise. Representing the Indian side are INS Kavaratti, an indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Corvette, and INS Jyoti, a Fleet Tanker — both operating under the Eastern Naval Command.
The exercise is structured in two phases: a Harbour Phase and a Sea Phase. The Harbour Phase opened with a formal ceremony and reception aboard INS Kavaratti for the visiting Sri Lankan crew. Activities during this phase include professional interactions, cross-deck visits, exchange of best practices, yoga, sports, and cultural programmes.
What the Sea Phase Will Focus On
The subsequent Sea Phase is designed to sharpen operational synergy and interoperability between the two navies through coordinated manoeuvres and exercises at sea, according to the Ministry of Defence. The dual-phase format has been a consistent feature of SLINEX since its inception.
SLINEX: Two Decades of Maritime Cooperation
Conceptualised in 2005, SLINEX has evolved over two decades into a key forum for fostering maritime cooperation, interoperability, and mutual understanding between the Indian Navy and the Sri Lanka Navy. This year's edition is explicitly aligned with India's MAHASAGAR vision — a framework for a secure, stable, and inclusive maritime environment in the broader Indian Ocean region.
Notably, SLINEX 26 comes on the heels of a broader diplomatic and military engagement push. Earlier in September 2026, INS Udaygiri, an indigenously constructed multi-role stealth frigate, visited Colombo for a three-day operational stay from 8 to 11 September 2026. That visit coincided with a landmark trip to Sri Lanka by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who also attended a deck reception aboard the warship.
India's Broader Neighbourhood Strategy
During the Colombo visit, the Indian Navy deployed Mobile Training Teams, facilitated experience-sharing sessions, and supplied machinery and equipment spares to the Sri Lanka Armed Forces — all framed within India's stated 'Neighbourhood First' policy. Together, the Colombo visit and SLINEX 26 reflect a sustained and deliberate effort to deepen defence ties with Colombo at a time when the Indian Ocean is increasingly contested among regional and extra-regional powers.
With SLINEX 26's Sea Phase still to conclude, both navies are expected to build on the operational protocols established in earlier editions as they look to expand joint capability in anti-submarine warfare and maritime domain awareness.
Point of View
The exercise reflects a calculated Indian effort to lock in Colombo's strategic orientation at a moment when China's Indian Ocean presence continues to expand. The MAHASAGAR framing is worth watching: it signals that India wants its maritime partnerships cast not as bilateral favours but as part of a collective regional security order — one that New Delhi is positioning itself to lead.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ships are participating in SLINEX 26?
India is represented by INS Kavaratti, an indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette, and INS Jyoti, a Fleet Tanker, both under the Eastern Naval Command. Sri Lanka is represented by SLNS Sindurala.
What does the MAHASAGAR vision mean for SLINEX?
MAHASAGAR is India's overarching framework for a secure, stable, and inclusive Indian Ocean maritime environment. SLINEX 26 is explicitly aligned with this vision, positioning the exercise as part of India's broader strategic goal of leading a cooperative regional security order rather than treating it as a purely bilateral drill.
What happened during INS Udaygiri's Colombo visit in September 2026?
INS Udaygiri, a multi-role stealth frigate, visited Colombo from 8 to 11 September 2026, coinciding with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's landmark Sri Lanka trip. The visit included deployment of Mobile Training Teams, experience-sharing, and supply of machinery and equipment spares to the Sri Lanka Armed Forces under India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy.
Why does SLINEX matter for Indian Ocean security?
SLINEX builds operational interoperability between two navies that share critical sea lanes in the Indian Ocean. As extra-regional naval presence in the IOR grows, joint exercises like SLINEX strengthen India's ability to coordinate maritime domain awareness and rapid response with its closest island neighbour, Sri Lanka.
