Overview: From 21‑28 April 2026, the Ministry of Defence facilitated the fourth edition of the bilateral diving exercise IN‑SLN DIVEX at Colombo. The Indian Navy deployed its Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel, INS Nireekshak, alongside Sri Lankan diving teams, underscoring heightened operational coordination.
Key Developments
- Execution of advanced mixed gas diving drills, including dives on World‑War‑era wrecks SS Worcester and SS Perseus.
- Successful deep‑sea dives beyond 55 metres, enhancing joint capabilities in underwater search, rescue, and salvage.
- Flag Officer Rear Admiral S.J. Kumara visited INS Nireekshak, praising India’s support for Sri Lankan diver training.
- People‑to‑people activities: beach clean‑up at Galle Face, friendly sports, yoga sessions, and a wreath‑laying ceremony at the IPKF Memorial.
- Hand‑over of two BHISM cubes under the Aarogya Maitri programme, boosting disaster‑response readiness.
Important Facts
The exercise featured:
- Joint harbour and open‑sea dives demonstrating high technical proficiency.
- Use of mixed‑gas blends to safely operate at depths exceeding 55 m.
- Coordination under the strategic vision MAHASAGAR, aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
Exam Relevance
Understanding this exercise is vital for GS 2 (Polity) and GS 3 (Security & International Relations). It illustrates:
- India’s maritime diplomacy and capacity‑building with a neighbouring state, reflecting the Neighbourhood First policy.
- Operational readiness of the Indian Navy in deep‑sea rescue, a critical component of maritime security.
- Humanitarian outreach through medical kits (Aarogya Maitri) enhancing soft power.
Way Forward
Future editions of IN‑SLN DIVEX are likely to incorporate newer technologies such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and expand to multi‑nation drills under the MAHASAGAR framework. Strengthening joint rescue protocols will further secure the Indian Ocean’s strategic sea‑lines of communication (SLOCs).