Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday on a three-day visit during which he will hold talks with the country’s top leadership to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in defence and maritime security.

During the visit, India and Sri Lanka are set to sign three bilateral agreements, including one on air defence cooperation. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said the visit would further strengthen bilateral relations beyond defence cooperation.

Ahead of his departure, Singh said he was looking forward to a productive engagement with Sri Lanka’s leadership. “Besides our longstanding partnership as well as deep historical and civilisational ties, Sri Lanka is one of our most important partners under the Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR initiatives,” he said in a post on X.

Singh was received at the Bandaranaike International Airport by Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Defence Maj Gen (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha. India’s defence ministry said he was given a warm and traditional welcome by the Sri Lankan side, reflecting the close and enduring ties between the two countries.