Malé, Maldives — India's First Training Squadron, comprising Indian Navy ships INS Tir and INS Sujata and Indian Coast Guard ship ICGS Sarathi, hosted a deck reception in the Maldives, with Cabinet Minister Ali Shareef attending as chief guest, marking another engagement in the continuing defence and maritime partnership between the two neighbouring countries.
During the visit, critical spare parts for the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard vessel MCGS Huravee were handed over to the MNDF Coast Guard. The handover highlights continued Indian technical and logistical assistance aimed at supporting the operational readiness of Maldivian maritime security assets.
The three vessels arrived off Malé on October 21 as part of the Indian Navy's long-range training deployment. According to India's Ministry of Defence, the visit includes professional exchanges, training activities and engagements intended to strengthen cooperation between the two maritime forces.
Senior Indian naval officials also met the MNDF Chief of Defence Force and the Commandant of the MNDF Coast Guard, discussing bilateral maritime cooperation and continued defence engagement. Indian naval trainees visited the Girifushi Training Centre, while cross-deck visits and other exchanges formed part of the programme.
The latest handover is particularly significant for MCGS Huravee, a vessel that has benefited from Indian maintenance assistance. During President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's official visit to India in October 2024, New Delhi agreed to undertake the refit of the Maldivian Coast Guard vessel at no cost to the Maldives.
India–Maldives relations since November 2023
The latest naval engagement comes against the backdrop of considerable changes in India–Maldives relations since President Muizzu assumed office in November 2023.
Bilateral relations initially faced diplomatic challenges, particularly over the presence of Indian military personnel operating aviation platforms in the Maldives. The two governments subsequently reached arrangements for withdrawing Indian military personnel and replacing them with civilian technical staff to maintain the aircraft's humanitarian and medical evacuation functions.
Despite the early differences, both governments maintained diplomatic channels and gradually expanded engagement across defence, economic development, financial assistance and regional security.
A significant development came in June 2024, when President Muizzu travelled to New Delhi to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony. This was followed by the Maldivian President's state visit to India in October 2024, during which the two leaders adopted a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership framework.
Under the framework, the countries agreed to deepen cooperation in maritime security, capacity building, infrastructure development and economic connectivity, while recognising the strategic importance of stability in the Indian Ocean.
India also provided financial support to the Maldives during this period, including the rollover of USD 100 million in Treasury bills in 2024 and a USD 400 million currency swap facility to support external liquidity requirements.
Defence cooperation continues to expand
Defence cooperation has remained an important component of bilateral relations throughout President Muizzu's administration.
The Maldives and India continued established military exchanges and joint exercises, including the bilateral exercises Ekuverin and Ekatha and the trilateral maritime exercise Dosti involving Sri Lanka.
In February 2024, the Maldives hosted Exercise Dosti, while the seventh edition of Exercise Ekatha took place later that year. The two countries also conducted their first bilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise in May 2025.
Cooperation continued in 2026, with the 17th edition of Exercise Dosti held in the Maldives in January, bringing together maritime security personnel for activities focused on coordination, interoperability and regional maritime challenges.
Beyond exercises, India's defence assistance has included training opportunities for MNDF personnel, support for coastal surveillance capabilities, maritime platforms and defence infrastructure development.
The two countries have also maintained institutional defence discussions, including the Defence Cooperation Dialogue and Joint Staff Talks, providing formal mechanisms to review existing programmes and identify future areas of cooperation.
Modi's 2025 visit marks another turning point
The bilateral relationship received another major boost in July 2025 when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Maldives as the guest of honour for the country's 60th Independence Day celebrations.
During the visit, President Muizzu and Prime Minister Modi held discussions covering defence cooperation, economic development, trade, infrastructure and regional security.
India announced a new credit facility equivalent to approximately USD 565 million, while the two governments agreed to begin negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement and measures to ease the Maldives' debt repayment obligations.
The visit also saw the inauguration of the new Ministry of Defence headquarters in Malé, constructed with Indian grant assistance, and the handover of 72 vehicles and other equipment to the Maldivian defence authorities.
These developments indicated a continuation of practical cooperation between the governments, notwithstanding earlier disagreements over foreign military presence and national sovereignty.
Maritime security remains a shared priority
For the Maldives, an island nation with an extensive maritime territory, cooperation in search and rescue, illegal fishing prevention, maritime surveillance and emergency response remains particularly important.
India, meanwhile, regards the Maldives as a strategically significant maritime neighbour within the Indian Ocean region.
The latest deployment of INS Tir, INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi demonstrates how bilateral defence engagement has continued through naval visits, personnel training and operational exchanges.
The handover of spare parts for MCGS Huravee also reflects the practical nature of this cooperation, supporting the maintenance of equipment used by the Maldivian Coast Guard.
Nearly three years after President Muizzu assumed office, India–Maldives relations have evolved from an initial period of diplomatic friction towards renewed engagement across defence, trade, financial cooperation and development.
The latest naval visit adds to that continuing relationship, with both countries maintaining cooperation on maritime security while pursuing their respective national interests. (Source: India Highcom X and news syndicate)
