In line with India’s commitment towards regional cooperation, INS Sharda arrived at Maafilaafushi Atoll, Maldives, for a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise planned from May 4 to May 10.

"This deployment is a testament to the strong defence and maritime cooperation between India and the Maldives," read a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.

The Ministry said the deployment aligns with India’s "MAHASAGAR" (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision, emphasising collaborative efforts to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region.

This HADR exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

"It will focus on actions like Disaster Response Coordination, Search and Rescue Operations, Medical Assistance, Logistical Support, Joint Drills, Training Sessions, and Community Engagement following a major natural disaster," the statement said.

Through such collaborative efforts, India and the Maldives continue strengthening their partnership and ensuring readiness to respond effectively to natural disasters and other humanitarian challenges.

India-Maldives Ties

India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links steeped in antiquity.

India was among the first to recognise Maldives after its independence in 1965 and to establish diplomatic relations with the country.

India provides the largest number of training opportunities for Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF), meeting around 70% of their defence training requirements. India has trained over 1500 MNDF trainees over the past 10 years.

"MNDF officers have been trained in various defence institutions in India  NDA, IMA, OTA, INA, AFMC, DSSC, NDC etc," read the Indian Embassy in Maldives website.

MNDF has also been participating in various joint activities with Indian Armed Dorces such as joint EEZ patrols, joint exercises, anti-narco ops, SAR, sea-rider prog, HADR exercises, sailing regatta, etc.

Indian Navy has also provided MNDF with air assets for air surveillance, MEDEVAC, SAR, Helo- borne vertical insertion capability.

Around 630 MEDVACs, SAR operations and medical teams transfers have been conducted since 2019. Besides providing medical equipments, a team of Medical Specialists has been serving Maldivians at MNDF’s Senahiya Hospital, Male’ and are sharing expertise with MNDF doctors. Many MNDF doctors have / are being trained at AFMC, Pune.

India-Maldives Defence Cooperation also extends to the areas of Joint Exercises, Maritime Domain Awareness, gifting of hardware, provisioning of surface platforms, infrastructure development, etc.

Key projects in the defence sector includes Composite Training Centre (CTC) for MNDF, Coastal Radar System (CRS), construction of new Ministry of Defence Headquarters and construction of “Ekatha” MNDF harbour.

 Chief of Defence Force of MNDF Major General Ibrahim Hilmy undertook official visit to Indiain September 2024. He also co-chaired 5th Defence Cooperation Dialogue (DCD) along with Defence Secretary from the Indian side.