New Delhi. Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chowdhary left on Monday on a four-day visit to Sri Lanka. During his visit, he will discuss deepening bilateral defense ties between the two countries.
The Air Chief’s visit comes at a time when China is trying to increase its influence on Sri Lanka, which is a matter of great concern for India. Air Chief Marshal Chowdhury will hold a series of meetings with Sri Lanka’s top political and military leadership. The Defense Ministry said in a statement that the IAF chief is scheduled to meet Sri Lankan President, Prime Minister, Minister of State for Defence, Chief of Defense Staff, Defense Secretary and Commanders of the country’s Air Force, Army and Navy.
Air Chief Chowdhury is visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of Sri Lankan Air Force Commander Air Marshal SK Pathirana. During the visit, he will also interact with students of the National Defense College of Sri Lanka and visit the Sri Lankan Air Force Academy. According to the Defense Ministry, the visit of the Air Force chief will boost the existing trade ties and mutual cooperation between the two countries. Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar had visited Sri Lanka in December last year.
In August last year, Vice Admiral SN Ghormade, Vice Chief of the Indian Navy paid a two-day visit to Sri Lanka during which India handed over a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft to Sri Lanka. The aircraft was given to Sri Lanka from the Indian Navy fleet to help meet Sri Lanka’s urgent security requirement.
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