Trilateral Coast Guard Exercise Dosti Officially Begins in Maldives

The 17th edition of the biennial trilateral Coast Guard exercise, Dosti, involving the Maldives, India and Sri Lanka has officially commenced, with the opening ceremony inaugurated by Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon.

Exercise Dosti, held every two years, began 35 years ago as a bilateral initiative between the Maldives and India before expanding into a trilateral exercise with the inclusion of Sri Lanka in 2012. This year’s exercise is scheduled to run from 17 to 19 January and includes activities focused on search and rescue operations, maritime pollution response and maritime security drills.

Chief of Defence Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy highlighted the importance of Exercise Dosti in strengthening maritime security and safety in the region. He noted that while the earliest exercises were conducted with limited resources and activities, cooperation between the Maldives and India was strong, contributing to regional security. He described the current trilateral format as a reflection of the strong relationship among the Maldives, India and Sri Lanka and their shared operational readiness.

Sri Lankan Coast Guard Director General Admiral Rohan Joseph identified Exercise Dosti as one of the key programmes aimed at ensuring security in the Indian Ocean region, emphasising the need for cooperation and joint action to address complex maritime challenges. Indian Coast Guard Director General Admiral Paramesh Sivamani also underscored the long-standing ties among the three countries, noting the historical role of the Indian Ocean in facilitating trade, cultural exchange and connectivity, as well as the role of coast guards in environmental protection and humanitarian assistance linked to community well-being.