A group of Maldivian officers have taken part in specialised training programmes in India under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) initiative, further strengthening capacity-building cooperation between the two countries.
Nineteen officers recently attended the ‘Passenger Interdiction Techniques, Trade Facilitation and IT Systems Programme’ held in India from 2 to 13 February. The programme was organised by India’s National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN-CBIC) under the ITEC framework.
The training focused on enhancing skills in passenger profiling, interdiction techniques, trade facilitation measures and the effective use of IT systems — key areas aimed at strengthening border security and improving customs operations.
Maldivian authorities expressed appreciation to the Government of India for sponsoring the programme.
Drug rehabilitation training in Mumbai
In a separate initiative, 20 officers from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), Maldives Police Service and the Maldives Drug Court are currently in India to participate in a training course on “Drug De-Addiction & Health Rehabilitation for Health Workers.”
The programme, conducted under the ITEC platform, is being held from 4 to 17 March 2026 at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai.
According to the High Commission of India in Maldives, the training aims to equip Maldivian officials with updated knowledge and practical expertise in drug rehabilitation, public health approaches, and recovery-focused interventions.
India’s continued support in training and development
Over the past two years, India has significantly expanded its support for training and human resource development in the Maldives through the ITEC programme and other bilateral initiatives.
Dozens of Maldivian civil servants, defence personnel, police officers, healthcare professionals and technical staff have participated in short-term and specialised courses across various Indian institutions. The areas of training have included:
- Customs and taxation administration
- Financial intelligence and anti-money laundering
- Cybersecurity and digital governance
- Drug control and rehabilitation
- Public health and hospital management
- Disaster response and coastal securityTrade facilitation and IT systems
India has consistently increased the number of training slots allocated to Maldivian officials under ITEC, reflecting a broader commitment to institutional strengthening and knowledge-sharing.
Capacity-building remains a key pillar of Maldives–India cooperation, complementing ongoing infrastructure, healthcare, defence and education projects supported by India in the Maldives.
The latest training programmes underscore the continued partnership between the two countries in strengthening professional skills, institutional resilience and people-to-people ties.
