BENGALURU: The eighth edition of 'EKUVERIN', a joint operation between the armed forces of India and the Maldives, will be held from December 15 to 28 at Belagavi, Karnataka.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Defence, the bilateral annual exercise is a 14-day joint military training between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force, which is conducted alternatively in India and Maldives since 2009. The seventh edition of the exercise was held at Kadhdhoo, Lammu Atoll, Maldives in December 2016. The exercise named EKUVERIN means 'friends' in the Dhivehi language.
The focus of the exercise is to acquaint both armies with each other's operating procedures in the backdrop of a counter-insurgency/counter-terrorism operations in an urban/semi-urban environment.
The two-week long exercise will see the contingents hone their tactical and technical skills. The exercise will also give an opportunity for the two armies to activate the Joint Operations Centre at Belgaum.
The Maldivian National Defence Force will be represented by a team comprising of two officers and 43 Other Ranks, while the Indian Army will be represented by three officers, three Junior Commissioned Officers and 39 Other Ranks belonging to a Gorkha Rifles Battalion (Sirmoor Rifles).
The statement said, "Maldives shares very close ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial ties with India. Exercise Ekuverin helps in further strengthening of the ties between the two nations."
The opening ceremony is scheduled on December 15 and will witness a flypast by the army aviation team along with a march past by the contingent from both the countries in the presence of Gorkha Regiment.
A 'Gatka' dance and martial arts program is being organized as part of the cultural event during the ceremony. The senior most Indian Army officer will address both the contingents, the statement said.