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The 4th edition of the India–Sri Lanka Diving Exercise (DIVEX 2026) marks a significant step in strengthening maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. Conducted from 21–27 April 2026 in Colombo, the exercise saw the participation of Indian Naval Ship INS Nireekshak along with the Sri Lanka Navy. This bilateral naval engagement focuses on enhancing underwater operational capabilities, improving interoperability, and reinforcing regional maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). DIVEX is a specialised naval exercise that focuses on diving, underwater search, salvage, and rescue operations. It plays a crucial role in preparing both navies for complex maritime emergencies such as shipwrecks, submarine incidents, and disaster response scenarios. The exercise includes intensive underwater drills, training sessions, and professional exchanges aimed at sharing best practices and improving coordination between the two forces. One of the key highlights of DIVEX 2026 is its humanitarian assistance component. Under the Aarogya Maitri initiative, India transferred BHISM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) cubes to Sri Lanka. These portable medical units are designed for rapid deployment and can handle up to 200 emergency cases, making them highly effective during natural disasters and humanitarian crises. This reinforces India’s role as a reliable first responder in the region. In addition to operational cooperation, India also extended defence support by providing 50,000 rounds of 9 mm ammunition to the Sri Lanka Navy. This move aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s operational readiness and enhance its maritime security capabilities. Such initiatives reflect the growing depth of India–Sri Lanka defence ties and mutual trust. Strategically, DIVEX aligns with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, which emphasizes collective security, regional stability, and cooperative growth in the Indian Ocean. The exercise enhances capabilities in underwater operations, ensures the safety of vital sea lanes, and strengthens preparedness for deep-sea contingencies. From a geopolitical perspective, the exercise gains importance amid increasing extra-regional presence in the Indian Ocean. Strengthening bilateral naval cooperation helps India maintain its strategic influence while ensuring a secure and stable maritime environment. It also deepens India’s engagement with its maritime neighbours, promoting peace and collaboration. For India, DIVEX 2026 contributes to improved naval interoperability, enhanced humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) capabilities, and greater operational readiness in underwater missions. It further cements India’s leadership role in the Indian Ocean Region. However, challenges remain, including the need for continuous capacity building of partner navies and balancing regional sensitivities. Moving forward, expanding such exercises, increasing technology sharing, and strengthening disaster response coordination will be key to sustaining maritime security. Overall, DIVEX 2026 is not just a naval drill but a strategic initiative that highlights India’s commitment to regional cooperation, security, and humanitarian support in the Indian Ocean Region. #DIVEX2026 #IndiaSriLanka #IndianNavy #MaritimeSecurity #IndianOceanRegion #SAGAR #DefenceCooperation #HADR #NavalExercise #Geopolitics #UPSC #CurrentAffairs #SecurityStudies #InternationalRelations #SriLankaNavy #INSNireekshak #AarogyaMaitri #BHISM #StrategicAffairs #DefenceNews