Defence minister Rajnath Singh met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo, marking the first visit by an Indian defence minister to the island nation in 38 years. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and regional security. Singh conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's greetings and emphasized the historical and civilisational ties between the two nations.

Sri Lanka reaffirmed its commitment to India's security, with Dissanayake stating the country would never allow its territory to be used for activities harmful to India's interests. The Sri Lankan president also expressed gratitude for India's relief assistance during Cyclone Ditwah and the comprehensive rehabilitation package provided by New Delhi. Singh described India's assistance as a responsibility rather than a favour, highlighting the close friendship between the two nations.

During the visit, India and Sri Lanka exchanged memorandums of understanding on the upgradation of L70 guns for the Sri Lankan Air Force and cooperation between the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National Defence Colleges (NDC) of both countries. The upgraded air defence guns, provided earlier by India, will strengthen Sri Lanka's air defence architecture. The academic cooperation agreement will facilitate knowledge sharing between the two institutions, while the NCC cooperation agreement will formalise the youth exchange programme between the countries.

Sri Lanka's opposition leader, Sajith Premadasa, praised India's support for the island nation, describing the bilateral relationship as 'very special' and 'very close'. Premadasa highlighted India's role as a first responder during Sri Lanka's economic crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic, and Cyclone Ditwah. He stated that Colombo seeks to deepen ties with India while respecting the sovereignty and political independence of both countries.

The visit also included an interaction with the Indian diaspora in Colombo, where Singh reiterated India's commitment to stand with Sri Lanka during times of crisis. The meeting underscored the shared history, culture, and faith between the two nations. However, details on the economic impact of the agreements and the long-term implications for regional security remain unclear.