What is Exercise Ekatha?

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About Exercise Ekatha:

It is an annual exercise conducted between the navies of India and Maldives.
Objective: To enhance interoperability in diving and special operations.

The location of the Maldives, at the intersection of commercial sea-lanes running through the Indian Ocean, makes it strategically important for India, particularly in the light of China’s growing aggression in the region.
India was among the first to recognise Maldives after its independence in 1965 and to establish diplomatic relations with the country.
India established its mission at the level of CDA in 1972 and resident High Commissioner in 1980.
Maldives opened a full fledged High Commission in New Delhi in November 2004, at that time one of its only four diplomatic missions worldwide.
India and Maldives signed a trade agreement in 1981, which provides for export of essential commodities.
Since 1988, defence and security have been major areas of cooperation between India and Maldives.
India provides the largest number of training opportunities for Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF), meeting around 70 per cent of their defence training requirements.
In 2016, the two countries also signed a comprehensive action plan to consolidate defence partnership.
Exercise Ekuverin: The Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Forces have been conducting Exercise Ekuverin meaning ‘Friends’ in the Dhivehi language since 2009.