♦ The 14th edition of EKUVERIN, the joint military exercise involving the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), began in Thiruvananthapuram on 2 December 2025. The exercise concludes on 15 December 2025. The Indian Army contingent of 45 personnel from Southern Command is participating alongside an equivalent strength of the Maldivian contingent.

♦ The Exercise aims to enhance interoperability while carrying out counterinsurgency and Counter Terrorism operations in semi-urban, jungle and coastal terrain. 

♦ EKUVERIN meaning ‘Friends’ is a bilateral annual exercise conducted alternatively in India and Maldives. Ekuverin is one of the three major joint exercises between India and the Maldives.

♦ The two bilateral exercises are “Ekuverin” and “Ekatha” and trilateral- “Dosti”, which includes Sri Lanka. 

♦ Conducted alternately in both countries since 2009, EKUVERIN continues to be a shining example of India's neighbourhood first policy and its commitment to building enduring defence partnerships with friendly nations.