Indian and Sri Lankan Coast Guard ships have arrived in the Maldives to participate in Exercise Dosti, a biennial trilateral maritime exercise aimed at strengthening cooperation, safety, and coordination across the Indian Ocean region. According to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), this year’s edition of the exercise will be held from 17 to 19 January 2026, bringing together coast guard teams from the Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka for a series of practical drills focused on humanitarian operations and shared maritime responsibilities.
Exercise Dosti has a long-standing history spanning 35 years, having begun as a joint initiative between the Indian and Maldivian Coast Guards before expanding to include Sri Lanka in 2012. The continuation of the exercise reflects the partners’ commitment to building operational readiness and strengthening collaboration in areas that directly support the safety of seafarers, the protection of marine resources, and the resilience of regional maritime routes that are vital for trade, tourism, and economic activity.
Three Indian Coast Guard assets ICG Dornier, ICGS Atulya, and ICGS Vajra have arrived in the Maldives to take part in the exercise, alongside the Sri Lankan Coast Guard vessel SLNS Suranimila. The arrivals underscore the scale of participation and the focus on hands-on training, as maritime forces coordinate at sea and in operational settings that simulate real-world challenges faced across the region, from emergency response to maritime security support.
Senior leadership from both partner countries has also arrived in the Maldives for the exercise. Indian Coast Guard Director General Paramesh Sivamani travelled to the Maldives for the Trilateral Joint Exercise DOSTI17 and was received upon arrival at Velana International Airport by Brigadier General Mohamed Saleem, Commandant of the MNDF Coast Guard. Sri Lanka Coast Guard Director General Rohan Joseph has similarly arrived for DOSTI17 and was also received at the airport by Brigadier General Mohamed Saleem. In addition, officials from the Indian and Sri Lankan Coast Guards have begun arriving in the Maldives to participate in the exercise activities over the scheduled period.
This year’s Exercise Dosti will feature search and rescue drills, maritime pollution response exercises, and maritime security-related drills designed to sharpen coordination and improve the ability to respond effectively to incidents at sea. While the exercise’s core emphasis is on humanitarian operations, the MNDF has advised the public and those travelling in the exercise areas to exercise caution during the drill period, as vessels and teams undertake coordinated movements and operational scenarios in designated maritime zones.
The MNDF has noted that the exercise will further strengthen relations among the participating countries, emphasizing that regional maritime security and safety cannot be achieved by any single country alone. Alongside the direct participation of India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, other countries will observe the exercise, reinforcing the broader regional interest in cooperative maritime frameworks that support safe navigation, faster emergency response, and a secure maritime environment for all who depend on the Indian Ocean.
advertisment
advertisment
