The Indian naval ship (INS) Airavat, and Pakistan navy ships PNS Taimur and PNS Aslat, alongside the submarine PNS/M Hangor, arrived at Sri Lanka’s Colombo Port on June 1.
INS Airavat, a landing ship tank commanded by Commander IP Patilfor, is on an operational turnaround, Sri Lanka Navy said.
“The Pakistan naval units made port in Sri Lanka for a goodwill visit as well as to fulfill replenishment.”
The Indian crew is scheduled to take part in a series of “professionally enriching events and camaraderie-building programmes” organised by the Sri Lanka Navy.
They will also tour several historic and prominent tourist attractions across the country before the ship concludes her deployment.
The visiting Pakistan naval assets are commanded by a lineup of naval officers, with Captain Niamat Saeed Khan (PNS Taimur), Captain Nadir Mateen Afridi (PNS Aslat), and Captain Uzair Farooq (PNS/M Hangor).
Crew members of the visiting ships and submarine are scheduled to tour several key locations across the country.
“The Pakistan naval units will engage in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Sri Lanka Navy off the west coast,” SLN said.
The two nuclear-armed neighbours fought a brief war last May.