International RelationsImportant2026-01-17

India-Sri Lanka-Maldives Conduct Exercise DOSTI 17

Q: Which of the following statements regarding Exercise DOSTI is/are correct? 1. It began as a bilateral exercise between India and Sri Lanka in 1991. 2. It is a biennial trilateral Coast Guard exercise involving India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.

B) 2 only — Statement 1 is incorrect because the exercise began as a bilateral drill between India and the Maldives in 1991, with Sri Lanka joining in 2012. Statement 2 is correct as it is currently a biennial trilateral exercise involving India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.

In News

What Happened

The 17th edition of the biennial trilateral Coast Guard exercise 'DOSTI' commenced in Male, Maldives, on January 17, 2026. The exercise involved the coast guards of India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. It focused on collaborative marine pollution response drills, search and seizure operations, and enhancing regional maritime security.

Why It Matters

This exercise is crucial for advancing India's 'Security and Growth for All in the Region' (SAGAR) vision. It strengthens interoperability among Indian Ocean neighbors to counter non-traditional threats like piracy, smuggling, and ecological disasters in the region.

Background

History & Context

Exercise DOSTI was initially launched as a bilateral engagement between the Coast Guards of India and the Maldives in 1991. Recognizing the shared maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka formally joined the exercise in 2012, making it a trilateral event. The exercise is held biennially, with previous editions establishing a foundation for search and rescue and marine pollution response coordination.

What Changed

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BEFORE: Trilateral exercises primarily focused on basic search and rescue operations. NOW: DOSTI 17 incorporates advanced marine pollution response drills aligned with MARPOL protocols and joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) policing.
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BEFORE: Interoperability was historically limited to basic communication and joint patrolling. NOW: The participating coast guards conduct complex search and seizure operations, enhancing real-time intelligence sharing.
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BEFORE: The exercise started in 1991 as a bilateral drill between India and Maldives. NOW: It operates as a mature trilateral framework with Sri Lanka, reflecting a broader sub-regional security architecture.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event connects to Class 12 Political Science Chapter 8 - Environment and Natural Resources. The exercise's focus on marine pollution response illustrates how states collaborate to protect shared natural resources and manage the global commons, reflecting regional cooperation in environmental security.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

Which of the following statements regarding Exercise DOSTI is/are correct? 1. It began as a bilateral exercise between India and Sri Lanka in 1991. 2. It is a biennial trilateral Coast Guard exercise involving India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.

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