Highlighting the importance of “collaboration and interoperability” among the coast guards personnel of the Maldives, India and Sri Lanka, Maldivian Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon said the trilateral exercise ‘Dosti’ will unite the troika to address “shared maritime security concerns through collaboration.” The 16th iteration of ‘Dosti’ began on Thursday and will continue until Sunday.

Indian Coast Guard ship Samarth and ICGS Abhinav along with Sri Lanka Naval Ship Samudura are participating in the exercise while Bangladesh is participating as an observer. Sri Lanka has described ‘Dosti’ as a trilateral exercise that aims to enhance cooperation, strengthen friendship, improve mutual operational capability, and develop interoperability among the Coast Guard personnel of India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka. The exercise, scheduled from February 22nd to 25th, provides participating forces with opportunities to engage in various maritime activities, including interdiction operations, search and rescue missions, and communication drills, to enhance their collective capability to respond to maritime security and safety challenges.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Maumoon emphasised the importance of greater collaboration between the coast guards of Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka to address “shared maritime security concerns.” The exercise ‘Dosti’ focuses on regional cooperation in areas such as search and rescue, medical evacuations, countering piracy, pollution response, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.

This year’s exercise marks the participation of Bangladesh as an observer. The trilateral exercise ‘Dosti’ had begun in 1992 with only Maldives and India. Sri Lanka joined the programme in 2012, and Bangladesh Coast Guard has now joined as an observer. The exercise aims to strengthen bonds and foster cooperation among the maritime neighbors.