India-Maldives Joint Military Exercise 'Ex Ekuverin' begins at Chaubatia

• 13 Jun 2023

Why in News?

According to the information provided by the Press Information Bureau of the Government of India on June 12, 2023, the 12th edition of the joint military exercise 'Ex Ekuverin' between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force to be held in Chaubatia, Uttarakhand from June 11 to 24, 2023.

Key Points:

• Ekuverin, meaning 'friend', is a bilateral annual exercise held alternately in India and Maldives. A platoon-strength contingent of the Indian Army and Maldives National Defense Force will participate in the 14-day long exercise.
• The exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability in Counter Insurgency/ Counter Terrorism Operations under the UN mandate and to carry out joint Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief operations. The focus is to share best practices, enhance coordination and cooperation between both the forces at tactical level.
• The 11th edition of the exercise was held in Maldives in December 2021.
• The defense cooperation between the two countries extends from joint exercises to assisting Maldives with defense training and equipment requirements.
• Both the nations have very close and friendly relations in economic, cultural and military cooperation. ‘Ex Ekuverin’ will assist in further bolstering of these ties between the two nations.