Plans for a joint naval exercise between the Sri Lankan and Pakistani navies in the waters off Trincomalee have been shelved following objections raised by New Delhi, according to reports in the Indian press.
According to multiple reports, the proposed drill was quietly cancelled in recent weeks after India conveyed its concerns to Sri Lankan authorities. Trincomalee, located in the Tamil North-Eastern coast, holds significant strategic value in the Indian Ocean region and has long been regarded by India as key to its maritime security interests.
The joint exercise had been scheduled as part of routine bilateral engagements between the two navies, which share historically cordial ties. Warships from both countries regularly conduct port visits and training activities, and Pakistan helped arm Sri Lanka during its genocidal war against the Tamil independence movement. However, the plans were abandoned just weeks before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Colombo, reportedly due to India’s direct intervention.
There has been no official response from either Pakistan or Sri Lanka.
However, Pakistan's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Major General Faheem-Ul-Aziz, met with Sri Lanka's Deputy Area Commander Eastern Naval Area at in Trincomalee earlier this week.
Sri Lanka’s past decisions to allow the docking of Chinese warships, including the missile and satellite tracking vessel Yuan Wang 5 in Hambantota in August 2022 and another Chinese vessel in Colombo in August 2023, have previously triggered diplomatic tensions with India.
During Modi’s recent visit, India, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates signed a tripartite agreement to develop Trincomalee into a major “energy hub.” The deal includes plans to modernise the area’s World War II-era oil tank farms and establish new infrastructure for refining and distribution, aiming to boost Sri Lanka’s energy security and support its economic recovery.
In parallel, India and Sri Lanka signed a defence cooperation agreement, formalising enhanced military collaboration between the two countries. This marked a significant moment in bilateral ties, coming nearly four decades after the Indian Peace Keeping Force’s controversial involvement in the island during the height of the armed conflict.
The Sri Lankan government has refused to disclose details of the pact.
