India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives Conduct 17th Edition of DOSTI Exercise in Male on January 17, 2026

Key facts

• The 17th edition of the trilateral exercise 'DOSTI' is being held in Male, involving the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Sri Lanka Coast Guard, and Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
• The harbour phase of the exercise includes collaborative Marine Pollution (MARPOL) exercises, joint Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) drills, and pollution response demonstrations.
• A four-member delegation from the ICG, led by Director General Paramesh Sivamani, is participating in the exercise to foster reciprocal learning and capacity augmentation.
• The exercise features tabletop exercises and the implementation of cross-boarding Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to enhance interoperability.
• Originally started as a bilateral exercise between India and the Maldives in 1991, DOSTI transitioned into a trilateral framework in 2012 with the addition of Sri Lanka.
• The trilateral engagement reflects India's 'Security and Growth for All in the Region' (SAGAR) vision and its 'Neighbourhood First' policy.