India on August 15 handed over a Dornier aircraft to Sri Lanka in the presence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, reaffirming its security ties with the island nation.
- The gifting of the Dornier aircraft to the Sri Lanka Air Force is of relevance to and a step to meet its requirements for maritime safety and security.
- The capability of the aircraft to undertake search and rescue operations “exemplifies its direct benefit to the people.
- The Indian gift was in response to a request from the Sri Lankan government in 2018 for two Dornier Reconnaissance Aircraft to enhance the maritime surveillance capabilities of the island nation.
- Sri Lanka is a member of the ‘Colombo Security Conclave’, that began as a trilateral initiate involving India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and later included Mauritius, for maritime cooperation in the region.
