Sri Lanka Rejects Indian Media Claims on Naval Drill with Pakistan

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence has categorically denied reports circulating in Indian media outlets suggesting that naval engagements with Pakistan had been cancelled. This formal denial, issued on April 19, comes in response to claims that Sri Lanka had called off joint naval drills with Pakistan following pressure from India ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to the island nation. Now let’s talk about how Sri Lanka Rejects Indian Media Claims on Naval Drill with Pakistan”.

Official Denial from Sri Lankan Defence Ministry

The Sri Lankan Defence Ministry has firmly rejected the claims of any cancellation, emphasizing that scheduled naval activities with Pakistan proceeded as planned. Col. Nalin Herath, spokesperson for the Defence Ministry, provided clear confirmation that no disruption to bilateral naval cooperation had occurred.

“The Pakistani naval vessel arrived in Colombo, engaged in scheduled joint exercises with the Sri Lanka Navy, and subsequently departed. There was no cancellation of any activity,” Col. Herath stated while speaking to The Sunday Morning. He further noted that Sri Lanka routinely conducts similar naval engagements with numerous countries, including the United States, India, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, and others.

Pakistan High Commission Corroborates No Cancellation

The Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka has also refuted the cancellation claims, confirming that all planned naval activities proceeded according to schedule. Defence Adviser Col. Muhammad Farooq explained that Pakistan had requested a port call for one of their naval vessels in Colombo weeks in advance, which was duly approved by Sri Lankan authorities.

“I’ve seen the reports in the media, but we are unaware of any such developments. A few weeks ago, we requested a port call for one of our naval ships in Colombo, which was approved. Beyond that, I am not aware of any issues,” Col. Farooq told The Sunday Morning.

Addressing International Media Speculation

Several international media outlets had recently reported that routine naval exercises between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, allegedly scheduled to take place in Trincomalee, had been cancelled due to objections from India. These reports suggested that the supposed cancellation was influenced by India’s increasing involvement in Sri Lanka’s energy infrastructure development, particularly in the eastern region of the country.

The reports emerged in the context of preparations for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka, implying that the alleged cancellation might be linked to diplomatic considerations related to the high-profile visit.

Sri Lankan Deputy Minister Confirms No Disruption

Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara has also weighed in on the matter, confirming that no cancellation of naval activities with Pakistan had occurred. This statement from a high-ranking defense official further reinforces Sri Lanka’s position that bilateral naval cooperation with Pakistan remains unchanged.

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Continued Naval Cooperation Framework

Both the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry and the Pakistan High Commission have emphasized that no official communication regarding any cancellations or objections has been made. The naval cooperation between the two countries continues to operate within established bilateral frameworks, with port calls and joint exercises proceeding as planned.

Sri Lanka’s clarification underscores its commitment to maintaining balanced maritime relations with regional powers, while rejecting suggestions that its defense cooperation decisions are influenced by external pressure. As a strategically located island nation in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka regularly engages in naval exercises with multiple countries as part of its broader maritime security strategy.

The swift and clear denial from both Sri Lankan and Pakistani officials highlights the importance both nations place on accurate reporting of their defense cooperation activities in a region characterized by complex geopolitical dynamics and strategic competition among major powers.

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