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.
HADR Exercise
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 the Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links steeped in antiquity.
India was among the first to recognise the Maldives after its independence in 1965 and to establish diplomatic relations with the country.
India provides the largest number of training opportunities for the 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 the Indian Armed Forces, 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.
India Aids Maldivian Healthcare
Besides providing medical equipment, a team of Medical Specialists has been serving Maldivians at MNDF’s Senahiya Hospital in Male, and is sharing expertise with MNDF doctors. Many MNDF doctors have been/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 include the Composite Training Centre (CTC) for MNDF, Coastal Radar System (CRS), construction of the new Ministry of Defence Headquarters and construction of “Ekatha” MNDF harbour.
Chief of Defence Force of MNDF Major General Ibrahim Hilmy undertook an official visit to India in September 2024. He also co-chaired the 5th Defence Cooperation Dialogue (DCD) along with the Defence Secretary from the Indian side.
(With inputs from IBNS)
