Indian Army chief talks of regional security in talks with President, PM

Thursday, 14 October 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army General Manoj Mukund Naravane called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday and separately on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Commencing the discussion, General Naravane stated that his country highly expects stability of neighbouring countries for regional security, the President’s Media Division said.

Reflecting on his military training and experience in India during his service in the Army, President Rajapaksa commended the leadership capabilities of Sri Lankan Army personnel received through Indian Army training.

The President inquired from General Naravane about the ensuring of security of India, which shares borders with a number of countries, the military welfare in the remote mountainous areas and the ranks of Indian Army officers that would be given leadership training.

The General said that Indian Army officers would be given the leadership training after being appointed as a Brigade Commander and explained the retiring age limit of each rank. Nearly a thousand Sri Lankan Army officers receive military training in India annually. In addition to that, a specially designed training course for 50 Army officers will be provided in the near future at the request of the Chief of Defense Staff and Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva, the Indian Army Chief said.

During the visit, General Manoj Narawana recalled the experience he had gained while serving in the Indian Peace Keeping Force in the 4th Mile Post area of Trincomalee.

President Rajapaksa said that he too, as a former Army officer, was pleased to be able to recall such memories. Commanding officer at Indian Army HQ Training Command Major General Rajeev Thapar, Military Adviser to the COAS Major General Vikrant Vilas Naik, Colonel Mandeep Singh Dhillon of the Foreign Affairs Division, Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundera, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Chief of Defense Staff and Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva were also present.