The Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy have concluded their joint maritime exercise SLINEX-26, the 13th edition of this bilateral engagement, at Visakhapatnam. The Ministry of Defence announced that the exercise ran from 17 to 21 September 2026 and included professional interactions, operational drills and capacity-building activities designed to strengthen ties between the two nations’ naval forces.
Key facts
- Exercise name: SLINEX-26 (13th edition)
- Duration: 17-21 September 2026
- Location: Visakhapatnam (harbour phase) and Indian Ocean (sea phase)
- Participating forces: Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy
- Announcement date: 23 September 2026
- Ministry: Ministry of Defence
What happened during the exercise
SLINEX-26 unfolded in two phases. The harbour phase, conducted at Visakhapatnam, involved professional exchanges between naval personnel, cross-deck visits where officers and sailors visited each other’s ships, and sporting competitions. These activities created informal settings for the two navies to build relationships and share professional knowledge.
The sea phase, which took place in the open waters of the Indian Ocean, was more operationally demanding. It included coordinated maritime manoeuvres where both navies practised sailing formations and tactical movements together. The exercise also featured air operations, involving naval aircraft from both countries working in coordinated scenarios. Night replenishment at sea, a critical naval skill where ships refuel and resupply each other in darkness, was practised. Special Forces drills formed another component, with exercises in Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS), a procedure used to inspect vessels at sea, and slithering operations, where personnel are lowered from helicopters to boards ships or platforms.
Purpose and benefits
The exercise was designed to strengthen professional interactions between the two navies and allow them to learn from each other’s practices and techniques. A key objective was to improve interoperability—the ability of the two navies to work together effectively in joint operations. Through coordinated manoeuvres and shared drills, both forces gained practical experience in understanding each other’s procedures, communication systems and tactical approaches.
The exercise also serves a broader strategic purpose. Both India and Sri Lanka depend on stable maritime conditions in the Indian Ocean for their security and economic wellbeing. Joint exercises like SLINEX-26 demonstrate their commitment to maintaining a secure and stable region, with particular attention to maritime safety and security challenges.
Connection to India’s regional strategy
The Ministry of Defence linked SLINEX-26 to two key policy initiatives. The first is India’s vision of MAHASAGAR, which refers to maritime cooperation and development in the Indian Ocean region. The second is India’s Neighbourhood First policy, which emphasises strengthening relationships with immediate neighbours through economic, cultural and strategic engagement.
Bilateral maritime exercises fit into this framework by building capacity within neighbouring navies and creating shared understanding on regional security issues. Through such engagements, India deepens its partnerships in South Asia while working towards a rules-based international order in the Indian Ocean.
What this means for you
For citizens and students, SLINEX-26 illustrates how India conducts diplomacy and builds regional partnerships beyond formal government channels. It shows the practical military cooperation that supports India’s foreign policy objectives. For competitive exam aspirants, understanding India’s bilateral exercises, regional policies and naval strategy is relevant for civil service and defence examinations.
The exercise also reflects India’s focus on maritime security and its commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean, issues that affect trade, shipping and regional stability that ordinary citizens depend on indirectly.