8^TH INDIA-SRI LANKA BILATERAL HIGH LEVEL MEETING SUCCESSFULLY HELD IN INDIA

The 8^th edition of the India–Sri Lanka Bilateral High Level Meeting was successfully held on 11^th August 2025 at the Indian Coast Guard Headquarters in New Delhi. The meeting, chaired by the heads of both Coast Guard departments, marked another milestone in the ongoing maritime cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

This High Level Meeting is part of a series of discussions initiated following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Indian and Sri Lankan Coast Guards in 2018. The primary focus of this year’s meeting was strengthening maritime security and safety through enhanced cooperation.

Discussions extensively covered measures to enhancing cooperation in marine pollution response, maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and expanding capacity building and technical assistance. Both sides also explored strategies to enhance contemporary maritime challenges and promote safety, security, and environmental protection in their shared waters.

Representing India at the event was the Director General Paramesh Sivamani of the Indian Coast Guard accompanied by several senior officers. The Sri Lankan delegation was led by the Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Rajapriya Serasinghe, who was joined by a team of senior officials.

To commemorate the occasion and reinforce the spirit of cooperation, both parties also exchanged mementos, symbolizing the shared commitment to regional maritime stability and security.

The successful conclusion of this meeting underscores the deepening ties and mutual commitment between India and Sri Lanka Coast Guards in ensuring a secure and sustainable maritime domain in the region.