In a significant step toward regional cooperation, the Indian Navy’s INS Sharda arrived at Maafilaafushi Atoll, Maldives, on May 4, 2025, for a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise scheduled from May 4 to May 10, 2025. This deployment underscores the robust defence and maritime partnership between India and the Maldives, aligning with India’s MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision to foster peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
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Objectives of the HADR Exercise
The HADR exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). It focuses on critical operations such as Disaster Response Coordination, Search and Rescue Operations, Medical Assistance, Logistical Support, Joint Drills, Training Sessions, and Community Engagement to prepare for major natural disasters. These activities strengthen the capacity of both nations to respond effectively to humanitarian challenges in a region prone to climate-induced disasters.
India-Maldives Defence Cooperation
The exercise reflects decades-long defence ties between India and the Maldives, exemplified by initiatives like the Exercise DOSTI, which began in 1991 and evolved into a trilateral maritime collaboration with Sri Lanka in 2012. India provides significant training support to the MNDF, meeting around 70% of their defence training requirements and training over 1,500 MNDF personnel in the past decade at institutions like the NDA, IMA, and DSSC. The HADR exercise builds on this foundation, enhancing coordination and disaster preparedness.
MAHASAGAR Vision
The deployment aligns with India’s MAHASAGAR vision, outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mauritius in March 2025. Building on the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) framework, MAHASAGAR emphasizes collaborative efforts using advanced tools like satellite surveillance and AI-based analytics to promote maritime stability and disaster preparedness. This exercise positions India as a net security provider and first responder in the IOR, reinforcing its Neighbourhood First policy.
Regional and Global Context
The Maldives, a key partner under India’s Neighbourhood First policy, shares deep ethnic, cultural, and commercial ties with India, dating back to India’s recognition of Maldivian independence in 1965. The HADR exercise follows India’s history of rapid disaster response in the region, such as Operation Vanilla in Madagascar and Operation Samudra Setu during the COVID-19 pandemic, which repatriated 3,992 Indian nationals from Iran, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. The exercise also complements other regional HADR efforts, like the Annual Joint HADR Exercise (Chakravat), which involved eight IOR countries in 2023.
Significance and Impact
The HADR exercise enhances India and the Maldives’ readiness to tackle climate-induced challenges, such as cyclones and flooding, which are increasingly prevalent in the IOR. By fostering interoperability and capacity-building, the exercise ensures efficient disaster response, saving lives and mitigating suffering. Posts on X have lauded the initiative, with sentiments highlighting India’s role as a reliable maritime partner in the region. This collaboration strengthens bilateral ties and reinforces India’s strategic role as a leader in the Global South.
Conclusion
The arrival of INS Sharda in the Maldives for the HADR exercise from May 4–10, 2025, exemplifies India’s commitment to regional cooperation and disaster preparedness. Through the MAHASAGAR vision and initiatives like this, India and the Maldives are building a resilient partnership to address humanitarian challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.
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