In a significant move to bolster regional cooperation and disaster preparedness, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sharda arrived at Maafilaafushi Atoll in the Maldives to participate in a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise being held from May 4 to 10. The joint exercise, conducted in collaboration with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), was announced in an official statement by the Ministry of Defence on Monday.

The deployment underscores the robust defence and maritime partnership between India and the Maldives. It is also aligned with India’s “MAHASAGAR” (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth across Regions) vision, which focuses on promoting collective security, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region.

The joint exercise aims to improve interoperability and coordination between the Indian Navy and MNDF in responding to natural disasters. Key areas of focus include disaster response coordination, search and rescue operations, medical aid, logistical support, joint drills, training programmes, and community outreach initiatives.