Exercise EKUVERIN | 03 Dec 2025
The 14th edition of the Joint Military Exercise, EKUVERIN, between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) commenced in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- EKUVERIN means friends in Dhivehi and reflects the strong defence ties between India and the Maldives.
- Held alternately in India and the Maldives since 2009, it aligns with India’s Neighbourhood First policy and strengthens regional partnerships.
- It reinforces both countries’ commitment to security and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
- The exercise improves interoperability in Counter-Insurgency and Counter-Terrorism operations operations across jungle, semi-urban and coastal areas.
India-Maldives Defence Relations
- Key bilateral exercises like "Ekuverin" and "Ekatha," along with trilateral exercises such as "Dosti" (including India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives) are conducted to enhance operational synergy and interoperability.
- India is the Maldives’ key defence partner and first responder in crises, seen in Operation Cactus (1988) and post-2004 tsunami. assistance. India’s Neighbourhood First and SAGAR vision guide this cooperation.
- The Annual Defence Cooperation Dialogue (DCD), launched in 2016 at the Defence Secretary level, serves as the main platform for reviewing and guiding India–Maldives defence cooperation.
| Read more: Strengthening India-Maldives Defence Cooperation |