India calls off "Annual Defense Dialogue" with Sri Lanka
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, Mar 19, IRNA -- Indian Government has called off the annual defense dialogue with Sri Lanka scheduled to start as of March 25.
No reason was given for cancellation of the Secretary-level talks which were to be held here for three days, the PTI reported quoting a source as said, adding new dates have not been decided yet. During the talks, the two sides were to discuss ways to strengthen defence ties and finalise future military exercises.
The decision has come at a time when Tamil Nadu parties are up in arms over India's engagement with Sri Lanka.
However, India has also maintained that it will not cease military ties with Sri Lanka and continues to provide training to its personnel in the Indian military academies and institutions.
India had shifted the exercise between Special Forces of the two countries from Belgaum in Karnataka to Nahan in Himachal Pradesh.
Likewise, it had also instructed the Navy to hold war games with the Lankan Navy away from the waters of four South Indian states.
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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 80589217
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