Malé, Maldives – The 13th edition of the India-Maldives joint military exercise, Ekuverin, has officially commenced in the island nation, marking another step in the deepening defense cooperation between the two countries.
Ekuverin, meaning “Friends” in Dhivehi, is an annual bilateral exercise held alternately in India and the Maldives. Last year, it took place in Chaubatia, Uttarakhand, from June 11 to 24. This year’s edition began on Sunday at the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Composite Training Centre in Maafilafushi.
The opening ceremony was attended by MNDF Chief Major General Ibrahim Hilmy and India’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, G. Balasubramanian. The Indian High Commission shared images from the event on social media platform X, highlighting the significance of the collaboration.
The two-week-long exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the Indian Army and MNDF in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations. It will also focus on joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, ensuring both forces are better equipped to respond to emergencies together.
The Ekuverin exercise continues to serve as a cornerstone of India-Maldives defense relations, fostering trust, coordination, and strategic preparedness between the two nations.
