INS Nireekshak, the Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel of the Indian Navy, arrived at Colombo to participate in the 4th edition of the India–Sri Lanka Diving Exercise (DIVEX 2026) scheduled from 21–27 April 2026. The exercise is a key bilateral maritime engagement between India and Sri Lanka Navy.
About DIVEX 2026
DIVEX 2026 is designed as a week-long specialised diving exercise aimed at strengthening interoperability, operational cohesion, and exchange of best practices between the two navies.
- The exercise involves joint diving operations and training modules
- Focus areas include submarine rescue, underwater operations, and professional skill enhancement
- It reinforces shared maritime interests and regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean
The exercise highlights India’s continued commitment to strengthening Indo–Sri Lankan maritime ties and enhancing collective maritime capabilities.
Humanitarian & Strategic Outreach
As part of India’s humanitarian diplomacy:
- India is providing BHISM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) cubes under the Aarogya Maitri programme. These are portable medical units capable of handling up to 200 emergency cases and are quipped with essential medicines and basic surgical tools for rapid response
Additionally, India will:
- Hand over 50,000 rounds of 9 mm ammunition to Sri Lanka
- Strengthen defence logistics and operational preparedness
IN–SLN DIVEX: Strategic Significance
The IN–SLN Diving Exercise is a flagship bilateral naval engagement that:
- Strengthens maritime security cooperation
- Enhances capacity building and operational synergy
- Promotes stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
- It aligns with India’s maritime vision of MAHASAGAR, focusing on regional cooperation and security architecture.
About INS Nireekshak
INS Nireekshak is a specialised vessel of the Indian Navy with the following features:
- Type: Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel
- Built by: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
- Built in: 1985
- Operational since: 1989 (Commissioned in 1995)
- Capability: Conducts deep-sea diving and rescue operations
- Achievement: Holds national record for deepest dive (257 metres)
India–Sri Lanka Defence Cooperation
India and Sri Lanka have significantly deepened defence relations in recent years:
- A 5-year MoU (April 2025) institutionalises cooperation in: Joint military exercises, Maritime surveillance and Defence industry collaboration
- Sri Lanka has reaffirmed that its territory will not be used against India’s interests, strengthening strategic trust
- Regular bilateral exercises include: SLINEX (Naval exercise) and MITRA SHAKTI (Army exercise)
- India has acted as a “first responder” in crises like: MV XPress Pearl disaster in 2021 (a container vessel catching fire and sinking off Colombo coast) and Operation Sagar Bandhu in 2025 (India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission to support Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah)