India–Maldives Joint Military Exercise EKUVERIN 2025 Begins in Kerala

The 14th edition of Joint Military Exercise EKUVERIN between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) commenced on 2 December 2025 at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The exercise will continue until 15 December 2025, advancing a long-standing partnership focused on enhancing operational preparedness and defence cooperation between the two nations.

What is Exercise EKUVERIN?

EKUVERIN means “Friends” in Dhivehi, symbolising the deep-rooted friendship, trust, and military ties between India and the Maldives.

The exercise has been conducted annually and alternately in both countries since 2009, acting as:

• A flagship initiative of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy
• A demonstration of its commitment to regional stability and defence partnership

Participants and Troop Composition

This year’s exercise features:

• 45 Indian Army personnel, represented by a battalion of the GARHWAL RIFLES
• An equal number of MNDF troops

This symmetry reflects the spirit of reciprocity, confidence-building, and shared learning.

Key Training Objectives

The two-week long joint drill focuses on:

• Counter-Insurgency (CI) operations
• Counter-Terrorism (CT) tactics
• Joint action in jungle, semi-urban, and coastal terrain

Troops from both sides will engage in:

• Tactical simulation
• Field training
• Best-practice sharing
• Operational planning

These activities aim to build interoperability, synergy, and responsiveness to evolving security challenges.

Why Exercise EKUVERIN Matters

The exercise strengthens:

• Military-to-military cooperation
• Trust-based defence diplomacy
• Joint preparedness for regional threats

With both nations located in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region, EKUVERIN plays a role in:

• Enhancing regional peace and stability
• Improving shared response capability
• Aligning security policies for maritime safety

For India, it reinforces its role as a security partner for friendly neighbours.