India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives took part in the 17th edition of the DOSTI coast guard exercise, which concluded on 19 January 2026. The trilateral drill was held in the Maldives and focused on practical joint training, information sharing and strengthening maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. The exercise is designed to improve interoperability and build coordinated responses to non-traditional security challenges at sea.
Exercise launched in Malé
The exercise was formally inaugurated on 17 January 2026 at Hotel Jen, Malé. The harbour phase began in the Malé area and brought into light operational synergy among the three coast guard forces. The drill also reflected India’s wider maritime engagement in the region under the SAGAR vision and the neighbourhood-first policy.
Harbour phase and joint drills
The harbour phase included:
- Collaborative MARPOL exercises onboard ICGS Vajra at Malé Anchorage.
- Joint Visit, Board, Search and Seizure drills.
- Live demonstrations of pollution response equipment.
- Tabletop exercises on coordinated maritime response.
- Cross-boarding standard operating procedures.
These activities were aimed at improving mutual understanding, professional familiarity and operational readiness among the participating personnel.
Maritime security and capacity building
The trilateral drill underlined the importance of coordinated maritime security in a strategically sensitive region. It also supported efforts to address issues such as marine pollution, illegal activity at sea and emergency response. The exercise helped deepen cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard, Sri Lanka Coast Guard and the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard.
Defence diplomacy and bilateral outreach
During the exercise, India also strengthened bilateral defence ties with the Maldives. The Indian Coast Guard transferred berthing items to the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard as part of capacity enhancement and defence diplomacy initiatives. The move reflected continued support for maritime infrastructure and operational cooperation in the archipelago nation.
Last Modified: April 27, 2026