Why India’s pact with Sri Lanka on a maritime rescue centre is significant

Thursday, 31 March 2022newsdesk

India and Sri Lanka have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Indian public sector Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) to set up a state of the art Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) in Colombo. The MoU was signed on March 28 during the visit of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Colombo.

New Delhi, 31 March 2022

As per news report of The Indian Express, The agreement is significant as it enhances co-operation on maritime security between the two countries in a part of the Indian Ocean region where the India-China rivalry has taken centre stage over the last decade. Earlier this month, India also provided a naval floating dock to the Sri Lankan Navy, and two Dornier aircraft to the Sri Lankan Air Force. Since March 23, an Indian Navy team has been training the Sri Lankan Air Force and Navy in helicopter operations. During the course of the training, the Sri Lankan pilots are being familiarised with India’s Advanced Light Helicopter.

Source - The Indian Express