Enhancing Maritime Security: Trilateral Exercise 'Dosti' Unites Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Trilateral Exercise 'DOSTI-16' |
| Participants | Maldives, India, Sri Lanka (Primary participants); Bangladesh (Observer) |
| Indian Contribution | Indian Coast Guard ships Samarth and Abhinav |
| Sri Lankan Contribution | Sri Lanka Naval Ship Samudura |
| Dates | February 22nd to 25th, 2024 |
| Objective | Enhance cooperation, strengthen friendship, improve mutual operational capability, develop interoperability |
| Key Activities | Interdiction operations, search and rescue missions, surveillance, communication drills |
| Focus Areas | Search and rescue, medical evacuations, countering piracy, pollution response, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief |
| Key Speakers | Maldivian Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, ADG S Paramesh (Indian Coast Guard), Lieutenant General Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef (Chief of Defence Force, Maldives), Brigadier General Ibrahim Hilmy (Vice Chief of Defence Force, Maldives) |
| Historical Context | 'Dosti' exercises began in 1992 with Maldives and India; Sri Lanka joined in 2012 |
| Observer | Bangladesh Coast Guard |