India–Maldives Exercise Ekatha 2025

Why in News

• The Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS), Indian Navy paid an official visit to Maldives from 15–17 December 2025 to attend the closing ceremony of Exercise Ekatha 2025.
• This was the maiden visit of the DCNS to Maldives.

About Exercise Ekatha

• Type: Annual bilateral maritime exercise
• Participants:
  • Indian Navy
  • Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF)
• Established: 2017
• 2025 Edition: 8th edition

Key Activities Conducted

• Technical and combat diving
• Boarding operations
• Live firing drills
• Demolition and explosive handling
• Asymmetric warfare tactics
• Special heli-borne operations

Objectives

• Enhance interoperability between the two navies
• Strengthen operational synergy in maritime security
• Improve coordination in counter-terrorism, HADR, and maritime domain awareness

Strategic Significance

• Reinforces India–Maldives defence and maritime cooperation
• Highlights India’s role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
• Supports:
  • MAHASAGAR – Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for all in the Region
  • Neighbourhood First Policy

Source: PIB