India has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation with the Maldives, as articulated by Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, during his recent visit. Engaging with Maldivian officials, including Foreign Affairs Minister Abdulla Khaleel and Chief of Defence Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, Sobti emphasized enhancing joint training and information-sharing to address regional maritime security challenges. The closing ceremony of Exercise Ekatha, a joint military exercise focused on diving and asymmetric warfare, further consolidated this partnership. This collaboration underlines India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and its broader strategy to ensure stability and security in the Indian Ocean Region, emphasizing the importance of mutual cooperation against shared threats, including drug trafficking.