Joint military Exercise Ekuverin held between India and Maldives

Context

Recently, a joint military exercise Exercise Ekuverin was held between India and Maldives. It is held between the armies of India and Maldives.

About Exercise Ekuverin

• Ekuverin means “Friends” in Dhivehi language. It is an Indo – Aryan language. It is spoken in India, Lakshadweep and Maldives.
• The Exercise has been conducted between India and Maldives since 2008.
• In 2019, the exercise was held in Pune, Maharashtra and in 2018, it was held in Maldives.

Exercise Ekuverin 2021

• The 2021 Exercise Ekuverin was held in Maldives.
• The exercise focused on enhancing inter – operability between the armed forces of India and Maldives.
• It also included counter – insurgency and counter – terrorism operations.
• The joint exercise in 2021, also conducted sports and cultural activities to enhance the bilateral and defence relations.

Need of Exercise Ekuverin

• India’s Policy of Indian Ocean is centred around providing security and political stability to Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles and Sri Lanka. With this India aims to counter the expanding face of China in the region.
• India sees itself as a net provider of security in the Indian Ocean Region.
• India is always the first responder in Human Availability Disaster Recovery Operations.
• The piracy in the Indian Ocean Region has increased.