Lanka welcomes Malabar naval exercise

INDIA: Sri Lanka has welcomed the upcoming joint naval exercises by India, the US, Japan, Australia and Singapore in the Bay of Bengal, hoping such activities would ensure safety for trade and commerce in maritime zones.

‘’Participants in these exercises are all countries which have major trading interests that require safety of navigation and high seas for commerce and trade,’’ said Sri Lankan High Commissioner C R Jayasinghe.

“Sri Lanka, too, as an island nation is very dependent on trade with the world outside. So, whatever activity is taking place, if that would strengthen international trade and commerce through the high seas, it is something intrinsically welcome to us,” he said.

The Malabar wargames would be held from September 4-9 and would feature frigates, submarines and warships of the participating countries, including INS Viraat and nuclear-powered USS Nimitz and USS Kitty Hawk. PTI