India-Sri Lanka bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-26 concludes at Visakhapatnam

The 13th edition of the India-Sri Lanka bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-26 concluded at Visakhapatnam on 21 September 2026, having run from 17-21 September. The harbour phase featured professional exchanges and cross-deck visits between the Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy, while the sea phase included coordinated maritime manoeuvres, air operations, night replenishment at sea, and Special Forces drills such as Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) and slithering operations. The exercise reflects India's maritime partnership with Sri Lanka and contributes to India's MAHASAGAR vision and Neighbourhood First policy for enhanced maritime cooperation and interoperability in the Indian Ocean Region.