Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi has stated the trilateral exercise Dosti is crucial for upholding security in the region.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of Dosti-15, Minister Mariya said the government is fully committed to upholding regional security. The minister said Sri Lanka and India have shown exceptional cooperation in maintaining regional security, especially by working with the Maldives in conducting the trilateral exercise. She also noted the assistance provided by the neighbouring countries in developing the officers of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
Furthermore, Minister Mariya noted that Dosti-15 marks 30 years since its initiation and the 15th serial of the exercise and that the trilateral exercise has further enhanced cooperation between the three countries. She highlighted that one of the highest priorities of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is to work together with neighbouring countries to achieve mutual goals.
Dosti-15 is being conducted from November 20-24 with naval ships of the Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka, with Bangladesh and Seychelles participating as observers. Dosti is conducted with the aim of strengthening bonds of friendship and enhancing mutual operational capability and cooperation.
The training exercise is focused on maritime search and rescue, marine pollution response, and boarding operations.
Dosti began in 1991 as a bilateral exercise between India and the Maldives, with the objective of strengthening co-operation between the countries, and Sri Lanka joined the exercises in 2012.