The Indian Navy’s Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Sobti, recently handed over operational spares for the Maldives National Defence Force’s MCGS Huravee during his inaugural visit to the Maldives, signifying a commitment to enhancing maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. This event underscores India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ and MAHASAGAR policies, reinforcing strategic ties while enabling the Maldives to bolster its maritime capabilities. The discussions encompassed training, joint operations, and information sharing, aiming to address shared security challenges such as drug trafficking and piracy. This collaboration, set against a backdrop of deepening India-Maldives relations, positions India as a preferred security partner, emphasizing capacity-building and regional stability amidst growing external influences.