Defence & SecurityImportant2025-12-02

14th India-Maldives Military Exercise EKUVERIN

Q: Which of the following statements regarding India-Maldives joint exercises is/are correct? 1. Exercise EKUVERIN is an annual bilateral military exercise conducted exclusively in India. 2. Exercise Dosti is a trilateral Coast Guard exercise involving India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka.

2 only — Statement 1 is incorrect because Exercise EKUVERIN alternates its location between India and the Maldives. Statement 2 is correct as Exercise Dosti is a biennial trilateral Coast Guard exercise involving India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.

In News

What Happened

The 14th edition of the bilateral military exercise EKUVERIN between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Forces commenced in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, in December 2025. Translating to 'Friends' in Dhivehi, the 14-day drill involved platoon-level contingents from both nations. They focused on enhancing interoperability in counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian assistance operations.

Why It Matters

This exercise is vital for reinforcing India's Neighborhood First policy and ensuring regional stability in the Indian Ocean Region. Despite recent diplomatic turbulence, it demonstrates a continued commitment to defense cooperation, interoperability, and mutual trust between the two nations.

Background

History & Context

Exercise EKUVERIN was first initiated in 2009 and is held annually, alternating between India and the Maldives. It forms a core part of the defense cooperation framework alongside the bilateral naval exercise Ekatha and the trilateral coast guard exercise Dosti involving Sri Lanka. The Annual Defence Cooperation Dialogue, launched in 2016, serves as the primary mechanism to review and guide these military engagements.

What Changed

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BEFORE: The 13th edition of the exercise was hosted by the Maldives earlier in 2025. NOW: The 14th edition transitioned to Indian soil, being hosted in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, maintaining the alternating location tradition.
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BEFORE: Defense relations faced significant strain in 2024 when the Maldives government requested the withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed for aviation platforms. NOW: The successful commencement of this military drill highlights a pragmatic stabilization and continuation of military-to-military engagement despite political shifts.
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BEFORE: Previous iterations of EKUVERIN focused heavily on basic tactical drills and standard counter-insurgency. NOW: The 14th edition explicitly incorporates the integration of niche defense technologies and joint mission planning for complex semi-urban and coastal terrains.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event directly applies to the concept of India's relations with its neighbors in Class 12 Political Science Chapter 5, Contemporary South Asia. The chapter discusses the complexities of bilateral ties in the region, illustrating how strategic and military cooperation, like Exercise EKUVERIN, persists and adapts even amidst fluctuating political regimes in smaller neighboring states.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

Which of the following statements regarding India-Maldives joint exercises is/are correct? 1. Exercise EKUVERIN is an annual bilateral military exercise conducted exclusively in India. 2. Exercise Dosti is a trilateral Coast Guard exercise involving India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka.

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