Forest Services
Introduction: Overview of IN–SLN DIVEX 2026
The IN–SLN DIVEX 2026 is the fifth edition of the bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), scheduled for March 2026. Conducted in Sri Lankan maritime zones, the exercise involves over five naval ships and two maritime patrol aircraft from both navies, focusing on enhancing interoperability, maritime domain awareness, and regional security in the Indo-Pacific. This exercise underscores the strategic partnership between India and Sri Lanka amid intensifying geopolitical competition in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
UPSC Relevance
- GS Paper 2: International Relations – India’s maritime diplomacy, bilateral naval exercises, Indo-Pacific strategy.
- GS Paper 3: Security – Maritime security, naval capabilities, regional security frameworks.
- Essay: India’s role in Indo-Pacific security architecture and regional cooperation.
Legal and Constitutional Framework Governing IN–SLN DIVEX
The exercise aligns with the Indian Navy’s mandate under the Navy Act, 1957, which empowers the Navy to conduct operations safeguarding national maritime interests. It also supports India’s obligations under the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981, ensuring control over maritime zones and protection against illegal activities. Moreover, IN–SLN DIVEX contributes to India’s commitment under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982, particularly in maintaining freedom of navigation, maritime security, and peaceful use of the seas in the Indian Ocean.
- Navy Act, 1957: Legal basis for naval operations and exercises.
- Maritime Zones Act, 1981: Regulates foreign fishing and protects EEZ sovereignty.
- UNCLOS, 1982: Framework for maritime rights, security, and dispute resolution.
Economic Dimensions of IN–SLN DIVEX 2026
India’s defence budget for FY 2023-24 is approximately ₹1.35 lakh crore, with the Navy receiving around 15% (~₹20,250 crore). This allocation underpins naval modernization and joint exercises like IN–SLN DIVEX. The Indian Ocean handles about 75% of global maritime trade and 50% of global oil shipments (International Maritime Organization, 2023), making maritime security critical for safeguarding trade routes. India’s trade volume through sea routes exceeds $1.7 trillion (Ministry of Commerce, 2023), highlighting the economic stakes involved in maintaining secure sea lanes.
- ₹20,250 crore allocated to Indian Navy in FY 2023-24 (Union Budget 2023-24).
- Over 80% of India’s trade by volume transits via sea routes secured by naval presence.
- Indian Ocean’s strategic importance in global energy and trade flows.
Institutional Roles in IN–SLN DIVEX 2026
The Indian Navy executes operational planning and conducts the exercise alongside the Sri Lanka Navy, which hosts and co-leads the drills. The Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India, formulates policy and allocates budgetary resources. The Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) coordinates joint exercises to enhance interoperability. The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) provides a broader regional platform for maritime cooperation, although IN–SLN DIVEX remains bilateral in nature.
- Indian Navy: Operational execution and capability demonstration.
- Sri Lanka Navy: Host and partner enhancing bilateral ties.
- Ministry of Defence: Policy and resource allocation.
- Integrated Defence Staff: Coordination of joint exercises.
- IORA: Regional maritime cooperation framework.
Strategic and Security Significance of IN–SLN DIVEX
IN–SLN DIVEX 2026 enhances maritime domain awareness and interoperability between India and Sri Lanka, crucial for countering non-traditional threats like piracy, trafficking, and maritime terrorism. It also strengthens regional security architecture in the Indo-Pacific, where China’s expanding naval footprint challenges established norms. Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 517,000 sq km (Sri Lanka Navy Annual Report, 2023) is vital for monitoring and securing maritime routes. The exercise supports India’s vision of a secure and stable Indian Ocean, complementing its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine.
- Enhances joint operational capabilities and maritime surveillance.
- Supports counter-piracy, anti-smuggling, and humanitarian assistance operations.
- Reinforces India’s strategic presence in the Indian Ocean amid geopolitical competition.
- Strengthens Sri Lanka’s maritime security capacity.
Comparison with Other Regional Naval Exercises
| Aspect | IN–SLN DIVEX | US–Japan Malabar Exercise |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Regional maritime security, humanitarian assistance, capacity building | Power projection, advanced warfare interoperability, joint combat readiness |
| Scale | 5+ ships, 2 maritime patrol aircraft; bilateral | Multiple carrier strike groups, advanced platforms; multilateral including India, Australia |
| Strategic Priorities | Maritime domain awareness, regional stability | Deterrence against China, high-end naval warfare |
| Resource Commitment | Moderate, focused on practical cooperation | High, involving cutting-edge technology and large forces |
| Geopolitical Orientation | India-Sri Lanka bilateral partnership in IOR | US-led Indo-Pacific coalition |
Critical Gaps in India-Sri Lanka Maritime Security Cooperation
Despite increased naval exercises, India and Sri Lanka lack a formalized maritime security framework akin to ASEAN’s Maritime Forum, which limits sustained multilateral engagement and rapid crisis response. This gap constrains coordinated action against emerging threats such as illegal fishing, maritime pollution, and transnational crime. Additionally, the absence of a binding mechanism reduces predictability and institutional memory for joint operations beyond scheduled exercises.
- No formalized multilateral maritime security framework between India and Sri Lanka.
- Limited mechanisms for rapid crisis response and information sharing.
- Potential underutilization of regional platforms like IORA for broader engagement.
Significance and Way Forward
- Institutionalize a formal maritime security cooperation framework to enhance sustained engagement.
- Expand scope of exercises to include multilateral partners for greater regional integration.
- Leverage technology for real-time maritime domain awareness and intelligence sharing.
- Prioritize capacity building in Sri Lanka for maritime law enforcement and search-and-rescue operations.
- Align exercises with India’s SAGAR doctrine to promote a rules-based maritime order in the IOR.
- IN–SLN DIVEX is a multilateral naval exercise involving India, Sri Lanka, and ASEAN countries.
- The exercise is conducted under the legal framework of the Navy Act, 1957 and UNCLOS, 1982.
- IN–SLN DIVEX primarily focuses on humanitarian assistance and capacity building rather than power projection.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- India and Sri Lanka have a formal maritime security framework similar to ASEAN’s Maritime Forum.
- IN–SLN DIVEX contributes to enhancing maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean Region.
- India allocates approximately 15% of its defence budget to the Navy, supporting exercises like IN–SLN DIVEX.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Jharkhand & JPSC Relevance
- JPSC Paper: Paper 2 – International Relations and Security Studies.
- Jharkhand Angle: While Jharkhand is a landlocked state, the state’s industrial and trade sectors depend on maritime security for uninterrupted supply chains via Indian ports.
- Mains Pointer: Frame answers highlighting India’s integrated maritime security approach and its indirect impact on states like Jharkhand through trade security and economic stability.
What is the primary objective of IN–SLN DIVEX exercises?
The primary objective is to enhance bilateral naval interoperability, maritime domain awareness, and regional security cooperation between India and Sri Lanka, focusing on humanitarian assistance, anti-piracy, and capacity building.
How does IN–SLN DIVEX align with India’s legal maritime framework?
IN–SLN DIVEX operates under the Navy Act, 1957 and the Maritime Zones of India Act, 1981, supporting India’s commitments under UNCLOS to ensure maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean.
What economic importance does maritime security hold for India in the context of IN–SLN DIVEX?
Maritime security protects sea lanes that handle over 80% of India’s trade by volume, valued at $1.7 trillion, making exercises like IN–SLN DIVEX vital for safeguarding economic interests.
How does IN–SLN DIVEX differ from the US–Japan Malabar naval exercise?
IN–SLN DIVEX focuses on regional maritime security and capacity building in a bilateral format, while Malabar emphasizes power projection, advanced warfare interoperability, and involves multiple countries.
What institutional bodies coordinate IN–SLN DIVEX?
The Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy execute the exercise, with policy and budget oversight by India’s Ministry of Defence, coordination by the Integrated Defence Staff, and regional context provided by the Indian Ocean Rim Association.