1. The Headline Facts
- Exercise Name: Ekuverin (Meaning “Friends” in Dhivehi).
- Edition: 14th Edition.
- Timeline: December 2, 2025 – December 16, 2025.
- Location: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
- Status: Concluded with a joint validation phase on Dec 16, 2025.
2. Participating Forces
- Indian Side: Represented by a battalion of the Garhwal Rifles (approx. 45 personnel).
- Maldivian Side: An equal contingent from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
- Observation: High-level observation by Major General R.D. Sharma (India) and Brigadier General Abdulla Ibrahim (Maldives).
3. Operational Focus
The 2025 edition emphasised Sub-conventional Operations in diverse terrains (Jungle, Semi-Urban, and Coastal).
- Key Drills:
- Amphibious operations (crucial given the island geography of the Maldives).
- Counter-Insurgency (CI) and Counter-Terrorism (CT).
- Cordon and Search Operations (CASO).
- Room intervention and reflex firing.
- New Elements: Integration of “niche technology” for better interoperability and real-time decision-making.
4. Background & Context (Static GK)
- Inception: The exercise began in 2009.
- Format: It is an annual bilateral exercise conducted alternately in India and the Maldives.
- Significance:
- Reinforces India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy.
- Supports the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.19
- Note on 2025 Frequency: This was the second “Ekuverin” of the calendar year. The 13th Edition was held earlier in February 2025 in the Maldives, marking a ramp-up in engagement.
5. Related Defence Cooperation
While Ekuverin is Army-centric, remember the other key exercises between these two nations:
- Ex Ekatha: Focused on Navy/Divers.
- Ex Dosti: Trilateral Coast Guard exercise (India, Maldives, Sri Lanka).