Indian Coast Guard aircraft ICG Dornier and vessels ICGS Atulya and ICGS Vajra, along with Sri Lanka Coast Guard ship SLNS Suranimila, have arrived in the Maldives in preparation for the 17th edition of the Trilateral Joint Exercise DOSTI-17.
The exercise brings together the Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka to enhance maritime cooperation, interoperability, and coordinated responses to non-traditional security challenges, including search and rescue operations, maritime law enforcement, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response in the Indian Ocean region.
Maritime security remains a key pillar of defence cooperation between the Maldives and India. Over the years, India has provided sustained support to the Maldives through capacity-building initiatives, joint exercises, and specialised training programmes for Maldivian Coast Guard personnel. These trainings have covered areas such as navigation, engineering, aviation support, maritime surveillance, and operational planning.
The Indian Coast Guard has also supported the Maldives through the provision of patrol vessels, aircraft operations, and technical assistance, contributing to enhanced maritime domain awareness and operational readiness. Indian platforms, including Dornier aircraft, have been utilised in coordination with Maldivian authorities for surveillance, search and rescue missions, and medical evacuations.
Sri Lanka’s participation through the Sri Lanka Coast Guard further reinforces trilateral cooperation, reflecting shared regional interests in maintaining maritime safety and security.
Exercise DOSTI, conducted regularly among the three countries, serves as a platform to strengthen coordination, build trust, and enhance collective capabilities in addressing maritime challenges across the Indian Ocean.
