Indian and Sri Lankan navies to step up intelligence sharing to counter threats to commercial shipping

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Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Karambir Singh met with the Commander of the Sri Lankan navy Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne to discuss information sharing and maritime cooperation.</p>
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The Indian Navy tweeted about the meeting saying: "Adm Karambir Singh CNS held bilateral discussions with VAdm Nishantha Ulugetenne, Commander of Sri Lanka Navy on modalities for further enhancing mutual support, interoperability, maritime cooperation on info sharing, training & other ongoing cooperation activities".</p>
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Adm Karambir Singh <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CNS</a> held bilateral discussions with VAdm Nishantha Ulugetenne, Commander of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLanka?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLanka</a> Navy on modalities for further enhancing mutual support, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/interoperability?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#interoperability</a>, maritime cooperation on info sharing, training & other ongoing cooperation activities.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GMC2021?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GMC2021</a> <a href="https://t.co/gKQCs2Wcs5">pic.twitter.com/gKQCs2Wcs5</a></p>
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) <a href="https://twitter.com/indiannavy/status/1458004952148627456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The meeting comes on the heels of a number of <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/india-sri-lanka-cooperate-on-defence-as-colombo-begins-to-distances-itself-from-china-121060.html">high level diplomatic and defence interactions</a> over the past month between the two neighbouring countries. </p>
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The two naval leaders met at the Goa Maritime Conclave, hosted by the Indian Navy at Goa from November 7-9 to discuss newly-emerging threats in the maritime domain. <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/indian-navy-sends-training-mission-to-sri-lanka-to-revive-military-ties-in-south-asia-123614.html">The Indian Navy had recently</a> organised a training and capacity building for the Sri Lankan Navy.</p>
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The Goa Maritime Conclave is India's initiative to harness maritime thought and bring together countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) for developing a common perspective.</p>
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Declaration of Common Maritime Priorities as agreed by all participants during Goa Maritime Symposium in May 21, was approved by the Chiefs of Navies/ Heads of Maritime Agencies and unveiled during <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GMC2021?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GMC2021</a>. <a href="https://t.co/OXwkVzlxTL">pic.twitter.com/OXwkVzlxTL</a></p>
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) <a href="https://twitter.com/indiannavy/status/1458096598366437383?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The conclave was attended by the chiefs of navies from IOR countries–Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand–who also released the Declaration of Common Maritime Priorities to deal with emerging non-traditional maritime threats.<br />
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The thirteen countries including India have jointly agreed to prioritise maritime interests in the IOR in a bid to tackle common threats as the region is an important transport route for trade and energy supplies.<br />
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The Madagascar Navy attended the meet for the first time.</p>