Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa met with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Colombo today during the latter’s official visit to Sri Lanka, with discussions centering on strengthening the longstanding relationship between the two countries.

The meeting highlighted the deep historical, cultural, and people‑to‑people ties between Sri Lanka and India. 

Premadasa underscored the importance of maintaining close, constructive, and continuous engagement, noting that such cooperation is vital for the mutual benefit of both nations.

Both leaders exchanged views on regional developments and matters of mutual interest, including collaboration towards peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region. 

Premadasa reaffirmed the importance of a strong and mutually beneficial relationship founded on mutual respect, sovereign equality, trust, and understanding.

The meeting reaffirmed the importance of continued engagement at all levels in further strengthening the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Sri Lanka and India. (Newswire)

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Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting in Colombo today with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, describing the discussions as highly productive and reaffirming the close partnership between the two countries.

Singh conveyed the greetings of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and extended congratulations on the completion of two years of President Dissanayake’s government. 

He emphasized that as “civilized twins, close neighbors, and maritime partners,” India and Sri Lanka remain committed to working together for the development of their nations and the well‑being of their people.

The Defence Minister noted that both sides had also reaffirmed their resolve to cooperate on matters of security, safety, peace, and prosperity across the region. 

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday, marking the start of a three‑day official visit that will run until September 10. (Newswire)

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Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Sri Lanka this afternoon on a special aircraft of the Indian Air Force, marking the start of a three‑day official visit that will run until September 10.

The visit is aimed at strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries, with Singh scheduled to hold talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and Defence Ministry Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuiyakontha, among others.

Indian media reports indicate that discussions will also focus on the implementation of the Indo‑Lanka Defence Cooperation Agreement, signed during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.

This visit carries added significance as it marks the first official visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Sri Lanka in 38 years. (Newswire)

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Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka on September 9 and 10 for talks focused on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, with maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region expected to figure prominently during his visit.

According to sources in the Ministry of Defence, during the visit, Mr. Singh is expected to meet Sri Lankan President and Defence Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha.

The discussions are expected to include a review of the full and timely implementation of the India-Sri Lanka Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Colombo on April 5, 2025, it added.

The five-year agreement was the first-ever umbrella MoU on defence cooperation between the two countries and provides a structured framework for bilateral military engagement while addressing shared security concerns in the Indian Ocean.

The pact covers a range of areas, including enhancing joint military exercises, capacity building, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cooperation, and increasing port calls by naval vessels of the two countries. It also provides for exploring opportunities for cooperation in the defence industry.

The agreement is valid for five years and allows either side to terminate it with three months’ prior notice. It can also be extended for a further three years by mutual agreement.

The defence MoU was among seven bilateral documents exchanged during Mr. Modi’s April 2025 visit, which marked his fourth visit to Sri Lanka since 2014 and the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country after Mr. Dissanayake assumed office in September 2024.

The April 2025 visit also saw agreements and understandings covering areas such as health, mass media, energy and connectivity. India and Sri Lanka also concluded bilateral amendatory agreements on debt restructuring.

The upcoming visit by Mr. Singh assumes significance amid India’s emphasis on maritime security and closer defence partnerships with Indian Ocean littoral states. 

It is expected to provide an opportunity to deepen military-to-military engagement and strengthen coordination between the two countries on shared regional security concerns. (The Hindu)

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday asserted that the Balakot airstrikes and the surgical strikes sent a message that India can defend itself both within and outside its borders.

Speaking at a function in Rohtas district of Bihar, Singh lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for having approved the military operations at meetings that “lasted barely 10 minutes, with not more than four to five persons in attendance”.

He was taking part in an “interaction with intellectuals” organised by a private university founded by and named after Gopal Narayan Singh, a former president of the BJP’s Bihar unit, who was also present on the occasion.

Read more: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/india-to-be-developed-country-by-2047-rajnath-singh/articleshow/100899503.cms

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday asserted that the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests gave a message to the world that although India is a peace-loving nation which believed in ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and ‘Ahimsa Paramo Dharma’, it will not let anyone harm the sovereignty, integrity and unity of the country.

While addressing National Technology Day 2023, Rajnath Singh said, “India has not only wished for peace for itself but given the message to the world. Visionaries like Lord Buddha and Father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi are India’s gift to the world. We have never invaded any country nor enslaved it. But, the Pokhran tests gave a message that we will give a befitting reply to every step taken against our dignity.”

Mr Singh termed National Technology Day as an inspiration to adopt a scientific approach while acknowledging the country’s technological achievements.

He underlined the importance of science in the progress of a nation, describing it as the source of power. He emphasised that the scientific approach motivates the youth to contribute to nation-building and ensures holistic development.

The Raksha Mantri believed that India, passing through the phase of demographic dividend, possesses a powerful human resource, which has guided it to a respectable position on the world stage. He called for the optimum utilisation of this human resource to achieve the goal of a strong, prosperous and developed India.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are moving forward with the resolve of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan and Jai Anusandhan. We have risen in stature on the global stage and the world is witnessing a new ray of hope in India. We will be successful in realising our vision of building a strong and self-reliant ‘New India’,” Mr Singh stated. (NDTV)

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