**Summary:**
The Indian Naval Ships INS Rana (Guided Missile Destroyer) and INS Jyoti (Fleet Tanker) arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on August 15, 2025, to participate in the 12th edition of the Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise (SLINEX25), held from August 14-18, 2025. SLINEX, conceptualized in 2005, is a bilateral naval exercise designed to enhance interoperability, maritime cooperation, and the exchange of best practices between the Indian and Sri Lankan navies. The exercise is divided into two phases: a Harbour Phase in Colombo (August 14-16, 2025) and a Sea Phase (August 17-18, 2025). The Sri Lankan Navy will be represented by SLNS Gajabahu and Vijayabahu (Advance Offshore Patrol Vessels). The exercise includes participation from Special Forces of both navies. The Harbour Phase will feature professional interactions, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), cultural and social exchanges, yoga sessions, and sporting events. The Sea Phase will include naval drills such as gunnery firing, communication protocols, navigation, seamanship evolutions, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) exercises, and fueling at sea. SLINEX25 underscores the maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka, aligning with India's "Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR)" policy. The previous edition of SLINEX was held in Visakhapatnam, India, from December 17-20, 2024. Release ID: 2156920.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Defence: The government ministry responsible for defence.
INDIAN NAVAL SHIPS: Refers to ships of the Indian Navy.
Sri Lanka: Island country in South Asia
INS Rana: Indian Naval Ship Rana, a Guided Missile Destroyer.
INS Jyoti: Indian Naval Ship Jyoti, a Fleet Tanker.
Colombo: The capital city of Sri Lanka, and location for the Harbour phase of SLINEX25.
Sri Lanka India Naval Exercise SLINEX25: A bilateral naval exercise between Sri Lanka and India, 12th edition.
MAHASAGAR: Indias policy of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions
Ministry of Defence
INDIAN NAVAL SHIPS IN SRI LANKA FOR SLINEX
- 25
Posted On: 15 AUG 2025 6:28PM by PIB Delhi
Indian Naval Ships INS Rana (a Guided Missile Destroyer) and INS Jyoti (Fleet Tanker) arrived at
Colombo to participate in the 12th edition of Sri Lanka India Naval Exercise (SLINEX-25)
scheduled from 14 to 18 Aug 25. Conceptualised in 2005, SLINEX is a bilateral naval exercise that
has strengthened maritime cooperation between the two nations over two decades. SLINEX aims at
enhancing interoperability, maritime cooperation and exchanging best practices while jointly
undertaking multi-faceted maritime operations. The previous edition of SLINEX was conducted at
Visakhapatnam, India from 17 to 20 Dec 24.
The exercise will be conducted in two phases – the Harbour phase in Colombo from 14 to 16 Aug 25,
followed by Sea phase from 17 to 18 Aug 25. SLNS Gajabahu and Vijayabahu (both Advance Offshore
Patrol Vessels) will be representing the Sri Lankan Navy and Special Forces of both the navies will also
feature in the exercise.
During the harbour phase, professional interactions, Subject Matter Expert Exchange(SMEE), sharing of
best practices, cultural & social exchanges along with yoga sessions and sporting events are planned, which
would further bolster the bonds of friendship and camaraderie between both the navies. The naval drills
planned during the sea phase include gunnery firing serials, communication protocols, navigation, seamanship
evolutions, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) and fueling at sea.
The SLINEX maritime exercise exemplifies the deep engagement between India and Sri Lanka, which has
strengthened cooperation in the maritime domain in consonance with India’s policy of Mutual and Holistic
Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions MAHASAGAR._____________________________________________________________
VM/SKS 159/25
(Release ID: 2156920)