Exercise EKUVERIN

Introduction: Exercise EKUVERIN is a joint military exercise conducted between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force to strengthen defence cooperation and interoperability.

Key pointers

  • Participating countries: India and the Maldives.

  • Type: Bilateral military exercise.

  • Meaning: Ekuverin means “friends” in Dhivehi, the language of the Maldives.

  • Primary objective: Improve coordination and interoperability between the armed forces.

  • Training areas: Joint tactical operations, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism in relevant training scenarios.

  • Strategic importance: Supports India's security partnerships in the Indian Ocean region.

  • Broader significance: Enhances military-to-military engagement and regional cooperation.

UPSC focus: Remember the country pairing: EKUVERIN — India and Maldives. Do not confuse it with exercises involving Sri Lanka, Nepal or Bangladesh.