Sixth Indo-Maldives joint military exercise concludes in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The fortnight long sixth joint Military Training Exercise between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force concluded here today.

A total of 45 marines from the Maldivian National Defence Force took part in the exercise, titled EKUVERIN 2015, along with 45 soldiers of the Indian Army, held at the military station here since August 31, a defence release said.

The bilateral exercise, which commenced in 2009 at Belgaum, is held annually, alternately in India and Maldives with the aim of enhancing military cooperation and interoperability between defence forces of the two countries.

It was the first joint exercise involving an international contingent to be conducted at Thiruvananthapuram, which is being developed as a Training Node by the Indian Army.

The officers and soldiers of Maldivian National Defence Forces appreciated the high standards of training, motivation and operational capability of the Indian Army, it said.

The exercise provided an excellent opportunity for fostering jointmanship and interoperability between the defence forces of both countries.

Brigadier Samir Salunke, Chief Director of the Exercise and Station Commander Pangode Military Station and Brig Ali Zuhair of MNDF witnessed the final phase of the exercise and reviewed the standards achieved, the release added.