India Conducts Trilateral Sea Exercise With Sri Lanka, Maldives Amid Diplomatic Tensions Under Muizzu's Presidency

Amid diplomatic tensions with Maldives, the Indian Coast Guard is conducting a joint sea exercise with Sri Lanka and Maldives, which is set to conclude today (25 February).

This was the 16th edition of the Dosti biennial exercise that began on 22 February. During the exercise yesterday at Male, Maldives Defence Minister HE Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon was present.

Maumoon emphasised the importance of larger collaboration between the coast guards of Maldives, India and Sri Lanka to deal with “shared maritime security concerns" while speaking at the event.

This comes after newly elected President Mohamed Muizzu's pro-China stance deteriorated the relations between the two neighbours. He has also sought the withdrawal of Indian troops from Maldives by May.

However, Maumoon was quoted as saying, "President Muizzu's administration places the highest priority on ensuring that close relations, peace and stability are maintained between Maldives and neighbouring nations."

HE Munu Mahawar, High Commissioner of India, ADG S Paramesh, PTM, TM, ADGCG and distinguished guests from Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh onboard ICGS Samarth also witnessed yesterday's exercise.

A total of five coast guard ships, Samarth and Abhinav from India, are participating in the exercise while Bangladesh is acting as an observer.