Summary:
The Ministry of Defence announced that INS Sharda, an Indian Navy vessel, has deployed to Maafilaafushi Atoll in the Maldives for a joint HADR exercise from May 4 to 10, 2025. This initiative is a demonstration of India's commitment towards regional cooperation and aligns with its 'MAHASAGAR' vision that emphasizes collaborative efforts for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region. The main objective of this exercise includes enhancing interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), which will involve actions such as disaster response coordination, search and rescue operations, medical assistance, logistical support, joint drills, training sessions, and community engagement following a major natural disaster. This deployment shows India's readiness to respond effectively to humanitarian challenges in collaboration with its strategic partner, the Maldives.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Defence: Government department overseeing national defense policies and military forces.
INS SHARDA: A naval ship from the Indian Navy, likely involved in maritime exercises and operations.
MAAFILAAFUSHI: An atoll (island group) in the Maldives where INS Sharda arrived for the humanitarian assistance activities.
Indian Navy: Arm of the Indian military responsible for naval warfare and defense.
Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF): The military force of the Maldives, engaged in the conducted humanitarian assistance exercise with the Indian Navy.
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise: Coordinated effort to provide aid following a natural disaster or in times of emergency, involving both Indian Navy and MNDF personnel.
MAHASAGAR: An initiative highlighting India's vision for collaborative efforts with the aim of securing peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region under defense or maritime cooperation.
VMSKS Release ID: 2126999: Unique identifier for a document or press release associated with the conducted activity.
Ministry of Defence
INS SHARDA ARRIVES MAAFILAAFUSHI,
MALDIVES FOR HADR EXERCISE
Posted On: 05 MAY 2025 1:57PM by PIB Delhi
In line with India’s commitment towards regional cooperation, INS Sharda arrived at Maafilaafushi Atoll,
Maldives, for a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise planned from 04 to 10
May 25. This deployment is a testament to the strong defence and maritime cooperation between India and
the Maldives. It aligns with India’s "MAHASAGAR" (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and
Growth Across Regions) vision, emphasising collaborative efforts to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity
in the Indian Ocean Region.
This HADR exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Maldives
National Defence Force (MNDF). It will focus on actions like Disaster Response Coordination, Search
and Rescue Operations, Medical Assistance, Logistical Support, Joint Drills, Training
Sessions, and Community Engagement following a major natural disaster.
Through such collaborative efforts, India and the Maldives continue strengthening their partnership and
ensuring readiness to respond effectively to natural disasters and other humanitarian challenges._____________________________________________________________
VM/SKS
(Release ID: 2126999)