Culture & Entertainment · Sri Lanka Bureau
Sri Lanka Navy ship arrives in Andaman for BIMSTEC maritime exercise
SLNS Gajabahu docked at Port Blair on Wednesday to participate in the first BIMSTEC-2026 Maritime Security Exercise, marking a significant multilateral naval engagement in the region.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The Sri Lankan naval vessel SLNS Gajabahu arrived at Port Blair in Sri Vijayapuram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, on 29 October to take part in inaugural maritime security drills coordinated by the Indian Navy. The ship received a formal ceremonial welcome upon arrival, adhering to established naval protocols.
The BIMSTEC-2026 Maritime Security Exercise represents the first such multilateral operation under the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation framework. The initiative brings together naval forces from member states to enhance regional maritime cooperation and strengthen security mechanisms across the Indian Ocean.
The participation of SLNS Gajabahu underscores Sri Lanka's commitment to collaborative maritime security efforts with neighboring nations. Such exercises facilitate interoperability among naval forces and foster dialogue on shared maritime challenges facing the region.
The BIMSTEC grouping comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, collectively representing a significant portion of South and Southeast Asia's strategic maritime interests.