• The 13th edition of joint military exercise ‘Ekuverin’ between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force commenced in the archipelago nation on February 2.
• ‘Ekuverin’ means friends in Dhivehi language.
• It is a bilateral annual exercise conducted alternatively in India and Maldives. In 2023, it was conducted at Chaubatia in Uttarakhand.
• The 14-day exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability in counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations, and carry out joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
• The defence cooperation between the two countries extends from joint exercises to assisting Maldives with defence training and equipment requirements.
• ‘Ekatha’ is another annual exercise conducted between naval forces of both countries.
Improvements in bilateral defence and security ties
• The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain after President Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November 2023.
• Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. Subsequently, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians.
• Maumoon is on a three-day visit to India, nearly eight months after New Delhi completed pulling out its military personnel from the Maldives.
• The overall episode had significantly frayed the ties between the two nations. However, there was a thaw in the relations following Muizzu’s visit to New Delhi in October 2024.
India-Maldives relations
• Maldives’ proximity to the west coast of India (it is barely 70 nautical miles away from Minicoy and 300 nautical miles away from India’s West coast), and its situation at the hub of commercial sea‐lanes running through Indian Ocean imbues it with significant strategic importance to India.
• India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links. Both the nations enjoy close, cordial and multidimensional relations based on shared values of democratic virtues, peaceful coexistence and rule of law.
• India was among the first to recognise Maldives after its independence in 1965 and to establish diplomatic relations with the country.
• India’s prompt assistance during the 1988 coup attempt, led to development of trust and long-term and friendly bilateral relations with the Maldives.
• Both the countries are key players in maintaining safety and security of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Maldives occupies a very special place in the ‘Neighborhood First Policy’ and the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision of the government of India.
• ‘India First’ has been a stated policy of the government of Maldives and President Solih, ever since he assumed office in November 2018.
• Bilateral cooperation with Maldives includes the creation of people-friendly infrastructure – housing, water and sanitation, health and education, ports, roads and stadiums. It also includes maritime security, connectivity and people to people exchanges.
(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)