Rapid Fire
INS Sharda to Maldives for HADR
- 08 May 2025
- 2 min read
INS Sharda arrived at Maafilaafushi Atoll, Maldives, for a joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
- The exercise is part of India's "MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions)" vision in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- Earlier, following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the Indian Navy, as part of its HADR operations, launched Operation Castor to provide vital relief to the Maldives during the crisis.
- The HADR exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the Indian Navy and MNDF to respond effectively to humanitarian challenges.
- INS Sharda (P55), a Sukanya-class patrol vessel, was awarded the ‘On the Spot Unit Citation’ for rescuing 19 hostages from the hijacked Iranian vessel Omari off Somalia in 2024, showcasing operational excellence and reinforcing India’s maritime security role in the IOR.
- Exercises Between India and Maldives: Bilateral exercises include “Ekuverin (Army)” and “Ekatha (Navy)”, while the trilateral coast guard exercise “Dosti” is conducted with Sri Lanka.
Atoll: An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef, island, or series of islets. It surrounds a body of water called a lagoon.
| Read more: Strengthening India-Maldives Defence Cooperation |
