Pakistan and Sri Lanka to expand defence cooperation
Defence and security cooperation is a key component of relationship between two nations
Islamabad: Pakistan and Sri Lanka officials have agreed to further strengthen defence cooperation, especially in counterterrorism domains, to counter common threats and meet future challenges.
The Commander of Sri Lankan Navy Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne is visiting Pakistan where he held meetings with the Pakistan navy and army chiefs as well as the prime minister.
Pakistani and Sri Lankan officials reached an understanding to improve bilateral defence collaboration with frequent interaction and particularly to bring the two navies closer for bilateral and regional maritime security, according to reliable sources.
Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy and Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi discussed bilateral collaboration and the regional maritime security environment. Admiral Niazi highlighted Pakistan Navy initiatives for ensuring maritime security and peace in the region through regional maritime security patrols.
Sri Lankan Navy commander also held a meeting with Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters (GHQ) and vowed to expand “military cooperation between the two forces in defence, training and counterterrorism domains.”
Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne also met Prime Minister Imran Khan who said that “security and defence cooperation had been a key component of Pakistan-Sri Lanka relations and a factor of peace and stability in the region.” PM Khan reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to comprehensively upgrade bilateral relations in all fields, saying that “Pakistan attaches immense importance to its relations with Sri Lanka as a reliable friend and partner.”
During PM Imran Khan’s visit to Sri Lanka in February 2021, Pakistan extended a $50 million line of credit for defence purchases to Sri Lanka. The two countries also signed accords to strengthen bilateral partnerships in intelligence sharing and in combating terrorism and drug and narcotics trafficking.
Relationship rooted in shared cultural ties
Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoy a broad-based relationship rooted in shared cultural ties, diplomatic and security cooperation. Defence ties and military cooperation is the cornerstone of bilateral ties. Pakistan’s support for Sri Lankan defence forces was strengthened in 2009 that played a crucial role in the Sri Lankan government’s war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Pakistan also provides military training facilities for Sri Lanka’s military personnel at its top defence colleges. Trading relations is another important aspect of the ties. Sri Lanka was the first country to sign a free trade agreement with Pakistan. In recent years, Islamabad and Colombo have expanded economic and defence partnerships.