Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS), Indian Navy, is on an official visit to the Republic of Maldives from 15 to 17 December 2025 to attend the closing ceremony of Exercise Ekatha-2025, the flagship annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). The visit underscores India’s continued commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation and security partnerships in the Indian Ocean Region.
Exercise Ekatha-2025: Enhancing Maritime Interoperability
Established in 2017, Exercise Ekatha has evolved into a key platform for deepening professional engagement and operational synergy between the two maritime forces. The 8th edition of the exercise featured a comprehensive range of joint activities aimed at enhancing interoperability and readiness to address contemporary maritime challenges.
The exercise included technical and combat diving, boarding operations, firing drills, demolition and explosive handling, asymmetric warfare tactics, and special heli-borne operation drills. These engagements enabled personnel from both navies to exchange best practices, refine tactical procedures, and strengthen coordination in complex maritime environments.
High-Level Defence Engagements in Malé
Upon arrival in Malé, Vice Admiral Sobti called on Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, Chief of Defence Force, MNDF. The discussions focused on regional maritime security challenges, expanding training and capacity-building engagements, strengthening cooperation in countering drug trafficking, and reviewing the progress of ongoing defence projects.
Both sides also deliberated avenues to further enhance maritime information sharing, recognising its importance in ensuring maritime domain awareness and collective security in the region.
Operational Support to MNDF Coast Guard
As part of the visit, the DCNS handed over a consignment of operational spares for MNDF Coast Guard Ship Huravee to Major General Ibrahim Hilmy. The handover ceremony was held onboard INS Sharda at Malé on 15 December 2025, reflecting India’s continued support towards strengthening MNDF’s operational capabilities.
Reinforcing Regional Partnerships
The maiden visit of Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti to Maldives reaffirms the Indian Navy’s steadfast commitment to regional partners and highlights the depth of India–Maldives defence and maritime cooperation. The engagement aligns with India’s vision of “Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for All in the Region (MAHASAGAR)” and the Neighbourhood First policy, both of which emphasise collaborative security, capacity building and mutual trust.
Conclusion
The DCNS’s visit and the successful culmination of Exercise Ekatha-2025 mark another significant step in strengthening bilateral maritime ties between India and Maldives. Through sustained engagements, joint exercises and operational support, both nations continue to enhance their collective ability to address shared security challenges and ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region.
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Source: PIB
