<p><strong>Overview:</strong> From <strong>21‑28 April 2026</strong>, the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Ministry of Defence — The central government department responsible for national defence, overseeing the Indian Armed Forces (GS2: Polity)">Ministry of Defence</span> facilitated the fourth edition of the bilateral diving exercise <span class="key-term" data-definition="IN‑SLN DIVEX — Bilateral diving exercise between India and Sri Lanka aimed at enhancing underwater operational interoperability (GS2: Polity)">IN‑SLN DIVEX</span> at Colombo. The <span class="key-term" data-definition="Indian Navy — The naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces, tasked with safeguarding maritime interests (GS2: Polity)">Indian Navy</span> deployed its Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel, <span class="key-term" data-definition="INS Nireekshak — Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel of the Indian Navy, equipped for deep‑sea rescue and diving operations (GS2: Polity)">INS Nireekshak</span>, alongside Sri Lankan diving teams, underscoring heightened operational coordination.</p>
<h3>Key Developments</h3>
<ul>
<li>Execution of advanced <span class="key-term" data-definition="Mixed gas diving — A diving technique using a blend of gases (e.g., helium‑oxygen) to allow deeper and longer underwater work, crucial for complex salvage missions (GS3: Science & Technology)">mixed gas diving</span> drills, including dives on World‑War‑era wrecks <em>SS Worcester</em> and <em>SS Perseus</em>.</li>
<li>Successful deep‑sea dives beyond <strong>55 metres</strong>, enhancing joint capabilities in underwater search, rescue, and salvage.</li>
<li>Flag Officer <strong>Rear Admiral S.J. Kumara</strong> visited <span class="key-term" data-definition="INS Nireekshak — Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel of the Indian Navy, equipped for deep‑sea rescue and diving operations (GS2: Polity)">INS Nireekshak</span>, praising India’s support for Sri Lankan diver training.</li>
<li>People‑to‑people activities: beach clean‑up at Galle Face, friendly sports, yoga sessions, and a wreath‑laying ceremony at the <span class="key-term" data-definition="IPKF — Indian Peace Keeping Force, deployed in Sri Lanka (1987‑1990) to assist in conflict resolution; its memorial commemorates fallen soldiers (GS1: History)">IPKF</span> Memorial.</li>
<li>Hand‑over of two <strong>BHISM</strong> cubes under the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Aarogya Maitri — Indian government initiative to provide medical assistance and disaster response support to neighboring countries (GS3: Health & Welfare)">Aarogya Maitri</span> programme, boosting disaster‑response readiness.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Facts</h3>
<p>The exercise featured:</p>
<ul>
<li>Joint harbour and open‑sea dives demonstrating high technical proficiency.</li>
<li>Use of mixed‑gas blends to safely operate at depths exceeding 55 m.</li>
<li>Coordination under the strategic vision <span class="key-term" data-definition="MAHASAGAR
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