SLINEX 24

Source: PIB (slinex)

Why in News?

India and Sri Lanka conducted the bilateral Naval exercise SLINEX 24 from December 17-20, 2024, at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command.

Slinex

Relevance for UPSC

  • Prelims: Focus on SLINEX, SAGAR, and maritime exercises.
  • Mains:
    • GS II: International Relations (India-Sri Lanka relations, SAGAR vision).
    • GS III: Security (Maritime security and bilateral defense cooperation).

Key Points

  1. Details of SLINEX 24:
    • Phases:
      • Harbour Phase: 17-18 December 2024.
      • Sea Phase: 19-20 December 2024.
    • Participants:
      • India: INS Sumitra (Eastern Fleet) and Special Forces team.
      • Sri Lanka: SLNS Sayura (Offshore Patrol Vessel) and Special Forces team.
    • Activities Conducted:
      • Professional and social exchanges during the Harbour Phase.
      • Joint exercises like gun firings, seamanship, navigation evolutions, communication procedures, and helicopter operations in the Sea Phase.
      • Special Forces of both navies collaborated in joint exercises.
  2. Historical Background:
    • Initiated in 2005, SLINEX is a series of bilateral naval exercises held regularly to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation.
  3. Strategic Importance:
    • Enhances interoperability between the Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy.
    • Strengthens maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.
    • Aligns with India’s SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region) vision for a rule-based maritime domain.

Challenges in the Indian Context

  1. Regional Security Concerns:
    • Increasing presence of external powers like China in the Indian Ocean region could affect bilateral cooperation.
  2. Coordination in Maritime Policies:
    • Ensuring alignment on maritime security strategies between India and Sri Lanka.

Advantages for India

  1. Strengthened Bilateral Ties:
    • The exercise reinforces India’s partnership with Sri Lanka, a key maritime neighbor.
  2. Enhanced Maritime Security:
    • Promotes safe and secure shipping routes in the Indian Ocean, vital for trade and energy supplies.
  3. Capability Building:
    • Enhances India’s naval preparedness and strengthens joint operational capabilities.

Other Relevant Points

  1. Geo-Strategic Importance of Sri Lanka:
    • Located at the crossroads of major shipping lanes, Sri Lanka is critical for India’s maritime strategy.
  2. India’s SAGAR Vision:
    • Aimed at ensuring peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the Indian Ocean region by deepening regional cooperation.
  3. India and Sri Lanka have a long history of cultural and economic ties dating back over 2500 years.
    • India is Sri Lanka’s largest trade partner in SAARC, with bilateral trade reaching USD 5.5 billion in FY 2023-24. India exports essential goods while Sri Lanka benefits from the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement.  
    • Other India-SL Bilateral Exercise: Exercise Mitra Shakti (Army). 

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