The 13th edition of the joint military exercise "Exercise Ekuverin" between the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and Indian Army has begun at MNDF Northern Area Command.

The opening ceremony of the joint exercise was held at MNDF Northern Area Command, Maafilaafushi in Lhaviyani atoll, and was graced by Chief of Defence Force, Major General Ibrahim Hilmy. In his speech at the ceremony, the Chief of Defence Force highlighted the importance of these joint training exercises conducted by the two countries.

"Exercise Ekuverin", which is held alternately in India and Maldives every two years, is scheduled to be conducted this year from February 2 to 16, for a duration of 14 days.

The opening ceremony was attended by MNDF Marine Corps Commandant, Brigadier General Abdullah Zuhury, MNDF Northern Area Command Commander, Brigadier General Ismail Shareef, Indian High Commissioner to Maldives, His Excellency Gangadharan Balasubramanian, Indian Defence Advisor to Maldives, Captain Deepak Bali, and other officers.

As Exercise Ekuverin begins, MNDF conducts many training sessions in collaboration with Indian forces.