India–Maldives Begin 14th ‘Ekuverin’ Drill in Kerala, Bolstering Counter-Terror Synergy
The 14th edition of Exercise Ekuverin, the flagship joint military drill between India and the Maldives, kicked off in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on Tuesday (December 2, 2025), marking another significant step in strengthening defence cooperation between the two Indian Ocean neighbours.
The bilateral exercise will run till December 15, bringing together 45 personnel each from the Indian Army’s Garhwal Rifles battalion and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
What is the Ekuverin exercise?
Designed to enhance interoperability in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, the two-week engagement focuses on tactics and drills across jungle, semi-urban, and coastal environments, terrain crucial to security operations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
According to the Indian Army, the drill will include joint mission planning, exchange of best practices, and simulation-based training aimed at improving the forces’ ability to respond to evolving regional threats.
What is the exercise’s history?
‘Ekuverin’, meaning “Friends” in Dhivehi, has been held alternately in India and the Maldives since 2009, reflecting a long-standing tradition of military cooperation grounded in trust and shared security interests.
The exercise is also a key element of India’s Neighbourhood First policy, which prioritises capacity-building, humanitarian support, and defence partnerships with its immediate maritime neighbours.
What is the significance of this year’s exercise?
This year’s edition comes at a time when the IOR faces increasing strategic competition, rising maritime security challenges, and a growing need for coordinated regional responses.
For both nations, the drill underscores a mutual commitment to ensuring peace, stability, and preparedness in a region vital to trade, energy routes, and strategic balance.
As India continues to expand its defence collaboration with the Maldives, ranging from training to maritime domain awareness, Exercise Ekuverin remains a central platform reinforcing the two countries’ resolve to act jointly against shared security challenges.
