New Delhi: The representatives from India and Sri Lanka of Navies and Coast Guards (CGs) was held the 33rd edition of annual International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) meeting onboard Indian Navy Ship (INS) Sumitra on Friday (3rd November) at the Indo-Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary Line off Point Calimere at Palk Bay. The interaction between the counterparts of both countries acts as a forum for the Navies and CGs of the two countries to further enhance ties and synergy in operations.

The Indian delegation was headed by the Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area (FOTNA) Rear Admiral (RAdm) Ravi Kumar Dhingra while the Sri Lankan delegation was headed by Commander North Central Naval Area (NCNA) of Sri Lanka Navy Rear Admiral (RAdm) BAKS Banagoda.

Taking to social media platform X, Spokesperson of the Indian Navy at Naval Headquarters & DPR in Ministry of Defence posted in threads on November 4, "The 33rd 🇮🇳-🇱🇰 Navy & CG IMBL meeting co-chaired by RAdm Ravi Kumar Dhingra, #FOTNA & RAdm BAK SP Banagoda, Commander North Central Naval Area @srilanka_navy, conducted onboard #INSSumitra at Palk Bay #03Nov 23. @IN_HQTNP @IndiainSL @IndiaCoastGuard"

Representatives from Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (East), Defence Advisor to the High Commission of India in Colombo and other senior officers from both countries also participated in the meeting.

During the meeting, they discussed maritime security in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar region, safety of fishermen, measures to curtail trafficking of contraband among other issues.

"Ways and means to enhance existing communication networks and timely sharing of information between the two Navies and Coast Guard aiding in timely actions were also discussed at length", the Ministry of Defence of India said in its statement on November 4.

Spokesperson of the Indian Navy at Naval Headquarters & DPR in Ministry of Defence posted on X on November 4:

"Discussions on

- Issues pertaining to #maritimesecurity in Palk Bay & Gulf of Mannar region

- safety of fishermen

- measures to curtail trafficking of contraband discussed

- Ways to enhance commn & timely sharing of info b/n the two Navies & Coast Guard aiding in timely actions"

India and Sri Lanka also reaffirmed the importance of mutual cooperation in operations and agreed to take forward the decisions taken to strengthen maritime security in the area.

In 1974 and 1976, the maritime boundary agreements were signed between India and Sri Lanka to define the international maritime boundary between two countries.