Maldives and India wrap up 7th edition of joint military exercise ‘Ekatha’

The Maldives and India have successfully wrapped up the seventh edition of the bilateral military exercise between the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and the Indian Navy dubbed ‘Exercise Ekatha.’

This year’s ‘Exercise Ekatha’ took place at the MNDF Northern Area Command in Lh. Maafilaafushi.

Chief of Defense Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy served as the chief guest of the ceremony held at the Composite Training Center in Maafilaafushi on Saturday to mark the end of the exercise.

This year’s ‘Exercise Ekatha’ kicked off on October 28. The exercise was taken part by the Indian Navy’s Marine Commando and the MNDF’s Marine Corps and operatives from the Special Operations Group. The exercise mainly focused on technical diving, firing, slithering and boarding skills.

The closing ceremony was also attended by Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives Munu Mahawar, the Commander of the MNDF Northern Area Command Brigadier General Ismail Shareef, and officers from the MNDF’s The Basic School (TBS).

The annual ‘Exercise Ekatha’ is aimed at enhancing interoperability, addressing common threats, and promoting bilateral cooperation and collaboration.