Colombo, Dec 13 (TIWN): Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral R Hari Kumar is set to travel to Sri Lanka this week for a four-day trip, the Ministry of Defence said in a press release. The Indian Navy chief will be welcomed as the chief guest and Reviewing Officer for the Commissioning Parade at the Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA) on December 15, 2022, in the Sri Lankan city of Trincomalee.

The visit comes nearly four months after the docking of a Chinese spy ship at Sri Lanka's Hambantota port triggered a diplomatic row between New Delhi and Colombo.

"Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), will be visiting Sri Lanka from December 13 to 16," the Navy said.

As a part of the visit, the Indian Navy Chief will engage in talks revolving around defence cooperation with veteran politicians and defence officials of Sri Lanka. He will also be paying visits to other establishments of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces. "Admiral R Hari Kumar will be visiting Sri Lanka from December 13 to 16, 2022," the Ministry said in the press release, adding that "the forthcoming visit would further enhance the long standing bilateral defence cooperation with Sri Lanka, specifically in the maritime domain."