A delegation from the Sri Lanka National Defence College (SLNDC) who are on their inaugural International Collaborative Study Tour to India last week paid a courtesy call on Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda in New Delhi.

Following the courtesy call, the High Commissioner interacted with the delegation and shared his views on the current status of diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and India, elaborating on how the future cooperation is primarily projected to revive Sri Lanka's economy.

He also explained the progress made in the fields of economy, energy, and defence in the recent past and underlined the importance of implementing some of the initiatives that have already been agreed by the two countries.

The importance of understanding India and the Indian Ocean dynamics, especially by the senior defence officials who are following the SLNDC course was emphasized by him. Underlining the significance of defence forces contributing to the future progression of the country through strategic inputs, Moragoda stated that the SLNDC could play a major role in this regard by way of shaping the future Sri Lankan military leaders.

Briefing the delegation on the outcome of the recent visit of the Sri Lankan President to India, Moragoda stated that the future India-Sri Lanka cooperation would primarily focus on connectivity and investment, which are in line with the five key pillars stipulated in the document titled 'Promoting Connectivity, Catalyzing Prosperity: India - Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision', which was agreed upon by the two leaders.

Moragoda also explained the key thematic areas outlined in the Integrated Country Strategy launched in 2021 for Sri Lanka diplomatic missions in India. In retrospect, he observed the progress that has been made so far in achieving its objectives.

The visiting SLNDC delegation was led by Brigadier WASR Wijedasa WWV RSP USP ndc psc, the Senior Directing Staff (Army) and comprised of senior officers of the Tri-Services and the Sri Lanka Police.

The SLNDC was established in November 2021 as the premier strategic education establishment in Sri Lanka to develop future policy-makers in the realm of national security, statecraft, governance, diplomacy and international security to strengthen the national security mechanism of the country through a collective intellectual endeavour.