The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kuthar arrived at the Port of Colombo on Monday (03), for a three-day Operational Turnaround (OTA) visit, further strengthening the longstanding naval cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.
INS Kuthar, a 91.1-meter-long Khukri-class Corvette, commanded by Commander Nitin Sharma, was received with full naval honors by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), following traditional maritime protocols. The ship, which has a crew of 129 personnel, is currently deployed in the Indian Ocean region and docked at Colombo for this goodwill visit.
As part of the visit, INS Kuthar delivered refurbished essential supplies to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard’s vessel Suraksha, symbolizing India’s ongoing support to enhance Sri Lanka’s maritime security capabilities. This gesture aligns with India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy, aimed at further bolstering defense ties and operational collaboration between the two countries’ navies.
During the visit, Commander Nitin Sharma met with Rear Admiral M.H.C.J. Silva, Commander of the Western Naval Area (WNA) of the Sri Lanka Navy, to discuss key matters on maritime cooperation, regional security, and enhanced operational interoperability between the two forces.
Additionally, a specialized briefing was held onboard INS Kuthar for Sri Lankan Navy personnel, featuring training exchange programs designed to improve understanding of naval strategies, operational tactics, and best practices in maritime security.
Apart from official engagements, the crew of INS Kuthar also had the opportunity to explore Colombo’s cultural and historical landmarks, further fostering camaraderie and mutual understanding between the naval personnel of India and Sri Lanka.
INS Kuthar is scheduled to depart Colombo on March 6, 2025, marking the conclusion of a visit aimed at reaffirming the strong maritime collaboration between the two nations.
The visit of INS Kuthar underscores India’s commitment to regional maritime stability, humanitarian cooperation, and the strengthening of diplomatic and cultural relations with Sri Lanka. As both countries’ naval ties reach new heights and tourism prospects grow, India and Sri Lanka are set to chart a course toward even closer collaboration.
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