The 14th edition of the joint military exercise EKUVERIN began on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, in Thiruvananthapuram. The exercise brings together 45 members from India's Garhwal Rifles and 45 soldiers from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). The Ministry of Defence said the training runs until December 15. EKUVERIN means “Friends” in Dhivehi, highlighting the strong ties between India and the Maldives since 2009. The exercise alternates between the two countries and supports India’s neighbourhood first policy. Over two weeks, soldiers will conduct joint drills in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in jungles, semi-urban areas, and coastal zones. These include tactical drills, mission planning, and sharing best practices to boost coordination against common security threats. The Ministry stated, “EKUVERIN-14 highlights the expanding defence cooperation between India and the Maldives and reaffirms their shared commitment to regional peace, stability and maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.”