MNDF, Indian Army Discuss Maritime Security and Drug Trafficking Cooperation
Maldives and India hold talks to strengthen naval security and fight drug trafficking | Photo: MNDF
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and the Indian Army have held discussions to strengthen cooperation in maritime security and combatting drug trafficking.
އެމްއެންޑީއެފާއި އިންޑިއާ އަސްކަރިއްޔާ ގުޅިގެން އަހަރަކު އެއްފަހަރު ބާއްވަމުން އަންނަ "އެކްސަސައިޒް އެކަތަ"ގެ 8ވަނަ ސިލްސިލާ، ކާމިޔާބުކަމާ އެކު ނިންމާލައިފި.https://t.co/nxnN62uVhD pic.twitter.com/Y6cTRs4Pmn
— Maldives National Defence Force (@MNDF_Official) December 17, 2025advertisement
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The talks took place between MNDF Chief of Defence Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy and Indian Navy Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti during his visit to the Maldives to attend the closing ceremony of this year’s ‘Ekatha’ military exercise, according to Indian media reports.
The annual ‘Ekatha’ exercise was initiated eight years ago. Vice Admiral Sobti arrived in the Maldives yesterday for the ceremony and is scheduled to remain in the country until tomorrow. Indian media reported that this is his first visit to the Maldives.
Discussions focused on regional maritime security challenges, increasing training opportunities, and collaboration in combatting drug trafficking. The officials also explored ways to strengthen the exchange of intelligence on maritime security and defence projects.
The closing ceremony was held on the Indian Navy ship INS Sharda, which is currently in Maldivian waters. During the event, India gifted operational spares for the MNDF Coast Guard ship Huravee.
The Ekatha exercise covers technical and combat diving, boarding operations, firing drills, demolition and explosive handling, asymmetric warfare tactics, and special helicopter-borne operation drills.
