In a significant stride towards reinforcing maritime security and collaboration in the Indian Ocean, the 16th iteration of the 'Dosti' trilateral exercise has commenced in the Maldives today.

With active participation from India and Sri Lanka, the exercise is a joint effort aimed at addressing shared maritime security concerns.

Defense Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon inaugurated the exercise, highlighting the crucial need for increased collaboration between coast guards.

He further emphasized President Muizzu's commitment to maintaining robust relations, peace, and stability with neighboring nations.

The 'Dosti' exercise, held biennially, focuses on essential aspects such as search and rescue operations, medical evacuations, countering piracy, pollution response, and humanitarian assistance.

The exercise has been conducted jointly by the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and Indian Coast Guard every two years since 1991.

Sri Lanka has been taking part in the exercise since 2012.

These activities aim to enhance the participating nations' capabilities and facilitate a coordinated response to potential challenges.

The 16th session of the 'Dosti' training series includes diverse maritime operations, ranging from interdiction and search and rescue to surveillance and communication drills.

The 'Dosti' exercise stands as a testament to the enduring commitment of Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka to ensuring maritime security and fostering collaboration in the Indian Ocean.

As the nations come together for this comprehensive training, it sets the stage for continued regional cooperation and collective efforts to address emerging challenges in the maritime domain.