Rajnath Singh makes first Indian Defence Minister visit to Sri Lanka in 38 years; three MoUs signed
Key facts
- Rajnath Singh visited Sri Lanka on 8-10 September 2026, the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister since 1988.
- On 9 September, he met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo.
- The two sides signed three MoUs on defence equipment and training.
- They cover L70 gun upgrades for the Sri Lankan Air Force, and NCC and National Defence College ties.
Why it matters
[First] The last such visit was by K.C. Pant in 1988. Dissanayake repeated that Sri Lanka will not let its land be used against India's security. The visit fits India's Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR policies.
Asked before: UPSC Prelims 2024 asked about Exercise Mitra Shakti, the India-Sri Lanka joint military exercise.
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