Indigenously-built Indian naval ship to visit Sri Lanka

Indian naval ship ‘Khanjar’, an indigenously-built Missile Corvette of the Khukri class, will make a three-day visit to Sri Lanka’s eastern harbour of Trincomalee to further people-to-people connect and familiarise the people with the Indian Navy

Indian naval ship 'Khanjar', an indigenously-built Missile Corvette of the Khukri class, will make a three-day visit to Sri Lanka’s eastern harbour of Trincomalee from Saturday to further people-to-people connect and familiarise the people with the Indian Navy.

The visit is significant in view of the potential for cooperation between India and Sri Lanka for augmenting the capabilities of the Sri Lanka Navy for efficiently addressing shared challenges for maritime security in the region, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said in a statement on Friday.

The ship’s Commanding Officer NVS Phani Kumar will call on the Commander of Eastern Naval Area, while various professional interactions will take place on VBSS, gunnery and missile operations.

"In order to further people-to-people connect and familiarise the people with the Indian Navy and its capabilities, the ship will be open for a visit by school children," the statement said.

The public can visit the ship on July 30 July at Trincomalee Port.

The ship will also carry out a Yoga Session, Beach Cleaning and Special School in Trincomalee, the statement said.

On July 31, post departure, a Maritime Partnership Exercise with Sri Lanka Navy Ship off Trincomalee is also planned, it said.