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Two senior US officials have begun separate visits to Sri Lanka for talks on defence, security and trade. The back-to-back engagements signal Washington's sharper push in the Indian Ocean amid rising regional competition.
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Colombo,UPDATED: Jun 22, 2026 11:40 IST
Two senior US officials, including Pacific Air Forces Commander General Kevin Schneider, have arrived in Sri Lanka on separate three-day visits focused on defence, security and economic cooperation, officials said on Monday. The visits come as Washington steps up engagement with the strategically located Indian Ocean nation.
Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S Paul Kapur and Schneider both arrived in Colombo on Sunday, according to the US Embassy. Their visits come amid growing geopolitical competition in the Indian Ocean region, where China has expanded its infrastructure investments and maritime presence in recent years, while the US has been seeking deeper defence, security and economic ties with countries in the region, including Sri Lanka, as part of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy.
The embassy said Schneider, who is on a visit ending June 24, will meet senior Sri Lankan government and defence officials, including leaders of the defence ministry and the Sri Lanka Air Force. “Discussions will focus on expanded cooperation across air and maritime domain awareness, cybersecurity, disaster response, and regional security,” it said. Schneider oversees all US Air Force personnel and assets across the Indo-Pacific region.
The embassy described his trip as reflecting the “growing strength of the US-Sri Lanka defence partnership” and the “latest milestone in an expanding bilateral relationship built on joint exercises, military exchanges, and consistent senior-level dialogue”. It added, “The United States recognises Sri Lanka as an essential partner in the collective effort to preserve peace, security, and prosperity across the region.”
During his stay, Kapur is scheduled to meet senior Sri Lankan leaders to discuss security cooperation and regional issues. He will also hold talks with private-sector executives and representatives of US companies on expanding bilateral trade and investment ties. The embassy said, “The visit reflects President Donald Trump’s commitment to strengthening partnerships that advance American prosperity and security, while deepening cooperation with Sri Lanka as a key Indian Ocean partner.” Together, the visits underline the US push to widen its defence, security and economic engagement with Sri Lanka.
With PTI Inputs
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Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Jun 22, 2026 11:40 IST
