India, July 28 -- Sri Lanka and the US have launched a bilateral maritime exercise aimed at strengthening operational cooperation, enhancing maritime security, and improving disaster response capabilities across the Indian Ocean, according to an official statement on Monday.

Hosted by the Sri Lanka Navy in Trincomalee and Colombo from July 27 to 31, the sixth edition of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), Sri Lanka 2026 brings together personnel from the US Navy, US Coast Guard, Sri Lanka Navy, and Sri Lanka Air Force for a week of shore- and sea-based training, the US embassy in Sri Lanka said in the statement.

US Embassy Senior Defence Official Matthew House said the exercise reflects the United States' enduring commitm...