The 17th edition of the biennial “Dosti” trilateral coast guard exercise involving the Maldives, India and Sri Lanka has officially commenced, inaugurated by Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon.
Held every two years, Exercise Dosti began 35 years ago as a bilateral drill between India and the Maldives before expanding into a trilateral exercise in 2012. This year’s edition, running from 17 to 19 January, will feature search and rescue operations, maritime pollution response and security drills.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief of Defence Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy said Exercise Dosti is a vital initiative for ensuring maritime security and safety in the region. He recalled that he had the opportunity to participate in the earliest Dosti exercises, and said although resources and activities were limited at the time, the cooperation between the Maldives and India was strong in ensuring the security of the region. He described the now-trilateral exercise as a symbol of the strong relationship between the Maldives, India and Sri Lanka, and its collective operational preparedness.
Sri Lankan Coast Guard’s Director General Admiral Rohan Joseph described the exercises as one of the most significant programmes held to ensure the security of the Indian Ocean region. He stressed that complex maritime threats can only be addressed through cooperation, trust and joint action.
Indian Coast Guard’s Director General Admiral Paramesh Sivamani also underlined the long-standing ties among the three countries. He noted that the Indian Ocean was a means for the exchange of trade, language and culture between the countries even before the establishment of official diplomatic relations. He said coast guards play a crucial role in environmental protection and humanitarian assistance, which in turn reflects the link between ocean health and community well-being.