Maldives host the 13th edition of the ‘Ekuverin’ military exercise

The 13th edition of the joint India-Maldives military exercise ‘Ekuverin’ is being hosted by Maldives from 2-15 February 2025. The inaugural ceremony of the 13th Ekuverin exercise between the  Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF) was held at the Official Composite Training Center of the MNDF at Maafilaafushi in Maldives on 2 February 2025.

During the inauguration ceremony, Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, Chief of the Maldives National Defence Force, and G Balasubramanian, Indian High Commissioner, were present.

The 12th edition of the Ekuverin was held at Chaubatia in Uttarakhand from 11-24 June 2023.

About the Ekuverin Exercise 

Ekuverin which means Friends in the Dhivehi language of Maldives was started in 2009 to strengthen the bilateral military ties between India and Maldives. 

It is held between the Indian Army and the Maldivian National Defence Forces.

It is held alternatively in India and the Maldives.

A platoon-level contingent from both countries participates in the military exercise.

The main aim of the exercise is to enhance the ability of both the defence forces to work in coordination and partnership to conduct counter-insurgency operations and to carry out joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. 

Defence Cooperation between the two countries 

India and Maldives share a close political and defence relationship. Since 1998, defence and security cooperation has been identified as a major area of cooperation between the two countries.

In 2016, a Comprehensive Action Plan for Defence was between the two countries that consolidated the defence ties between the two countries. India has gifted military hardware to the MNDF and also trained their personnel.

Regular joint bilateral military exercise is held between the defence forces of both countries to promote close ties between the armed forces personnel of both countries

Following is the list of the military exercises conducted between India and Maldives.

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