Indian Navy Strengthens Ties with Maldives During Ex Ekatha 2025
Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS) of the Indian Navy, is on an official visit to the Maldives from December 15 to 17, 2025. The visit coincides with the closing ceremony of Exercise Ekatha 2025, an important annual maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
Launched in 2017, Exercise Ekatha aims to enhance bilateral maritime cooperation, and this year marks its eighth edition. The exercise involved a series of professional interactions designed to boost interoperability and operational collaboration between the two navies. Activities included technical and combat diving, boarding operations, firing drills, demolition and explosive handling, asymmetric warfare tactics, and special heli-borne operation drills.
Upon his arrival in Male, Vice Admiral Sobti met with Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, the Chief of Defence Force of the MNDF. Their discussions centered around crucial topics such as regional maritime security challenges, the enhancement of training engagements, and cooperation in combatting drug trafficking. They also reviewed the progress of ongoing defence projects and explored ways to improve maritime information sharing between the Indian Navy and the MNDF.
During the visit, the DCNS presented a consignment of operational spares for the MNDF Coast Guard Ship Huravee to Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, in a ceremony held onboard INS Sharda in Male on December 15, 2025. This act symbolizes the Indian Navy’s commitment to supporting and enhancing the operational capabilities of the MNDF.
This marks Vice Admiral Sobti’s first visit to the Maldives, emphasizing the Indian Navy’s dedication to fostering strong relationships with regional partners. The visit demonstrates the robust defence and maritime cooperation between India and the Maldives, aligning with India’s vision of ‘Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (MAHASAGAR) and its Neighbourhood First policy.
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