Indo- Sri Lankan Nexus Under SLINEX (India And Sri Lanka Naval Exercise)

Abstract

Maritime security has emerged as a central pillar in the strategic discourse of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), where India and Sri Lanka occupy pivotal geographic positions. The Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise (SLINEX), initiated in 2005, serves as a vital bilateral mechanism to enhance operational synergy, maritime domain awareness, and mutual trust between the two nations. Over the years, SLINEX has evolved from basic, single-phase drills into advanced, multi-phase exercises incorporating complex maneuvers, maritime patrol aircraft, and joint special operations, reflecting an expanding scope and ambition. The challenges persist in addressing evolving maritime threats, ensuring sustained interoperability, and aligning cooperative strategies with broader regional security architectures. The paper critically examines SLINEX by tracing its evolution and strategic significance in fostering maritime cooperation, evaluating its role in strengthening regional security and joint operational capabilities, and assessing the geopolitical, diplomatic, and maritime security implications of the Indo–Sri Lankan naval partnership. The paper adopted a descriptive analytical approach and contextualizes SLINEX within contemporary maritime security frameworks and Indo–Pacific strategic alignments, offering nuanced insights into how the bilateral naval exercise contributes to both nations’ security imperatives addressing emerging maritime challenges. The findings reveal that SLINEX has evolved since 2005 into a sophisticated naval partnership, enhancing India–Sri Lanka interoperability, maritime security, and regional stability, countering external influence, advancing the SAGAR vision, and strengthening geopolitical, diplomatic, and operational capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region.