Published: 16 January 2026ANIGeneral
Exercise DOSTI-17: India, Maldives and Sri Lanka Begin Trilateral Maritime Drill in Male
The 17th edition of Exercise DOSTI, a trilateral coast guard drill involving India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, was formally inaugurated on January 17, 2026, in Male, Maldives. The exercise ran from January 16-19 and focused on enhancing interoperability and collaborative mechanisms to address non-traditional maritime security challenges.
Activities included MARPOL and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training during the harbour phase, followed by a sea phase with Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft. The exercise aims to counter piracy, smuggling, illegal fishing, and pollution response. Originally a bilateral exercise between India and Maldives started in 1991, DOSTI became trilateral with Sri Lanka's inclusion in 2012.
0Mains angle
Q: Analyse how Exercise DOSTI-17 advances India's maritime security cooperation with Maldives and Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean Region.
Answer (50 words):
Exercise DOSTI-17 ran 16-19 January 2026 in Male with Indian, Maldivian and Sri Lankan coast guards. Started in 1991 as India-Maldives bilateral and becoming trilateral in 2012, it covers MARPOL, Visit-Board-Search-Seizure drills, piracy, smuggling, illegal fishing and pollution response, strengthening non-traditional security interoperability in the Indian Ocean Region.
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CoverageInternationalSubjectInternationalExamBasic Computer Instructor · CET Graduation · CET Senior Secondary · EO/RO · LDC · Mahila Supervisor · Patwar · PTI · RAS · REET · RPSC SI · School Lecturer · Senior Computer Instructor · Senior Teacher · UPSC · Vanpal · BothSourceANI
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Linked questionMedium
In which year was Exercise DOSTI first expanded from bilateral to trilateral?
Explanation · Correct answer BDOSTI began in 1991 as bilateral India-Maldives; Sri Lanka joined in 2012 making it trilateral.
Frequently asked questions
What is Exercise DOSTI-17 and which three countries participated in the January 2026 edition?
**Exercise DOSTI-17** is a **trilateral coast guard drill** involving **India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka**, held from **January 16-19, 2026 in Male, Maldives**. It focuses on enhancing interoperability to address **non-traditional maritime security challenges** including piracy, smuggling, illegal fishing, and pollution response.
When did Exercise DOSTI begin and when did it become a trilateral exercise with Sri Lanka?
**Exercise DOSTI** started in **1991 as a bilateral exercise between India and Maldives**. It became **trilateral with Sri Lanka's inclusion in 2012**. The **17th edition** was held from **January 16-19, 2026 in Male, Maldives**, focusing on MARPOL training, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), and maritime security interoperability.
What training activities were conducted during Exercise DOSTI-17 in January 2026?
**Exercise DOSTI-17** (January 16-19, 2026, Male, Maldives) included: **MARPOL training** and **Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training** during the harbour phase, followed by a **sea phase with Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft**. The exercise aims to counter **piracy, smuggling, illegal fishing, and pollution response** among India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
What non-traditional maritime security challenges does Exercise DOSTI-17 address in the Indian Ocean Region?
**Exercise DOSTI-17** (India, Maldives, Sri Lanka — January 2026) addresses **non-traditional maritime security challenges** including: **piracy, smuggling, illegal fishing, and pollution response**. Activities include MARPOL training and VBSS. Originally bilateral (India-Maldives, 1991), DOSTI became trilateral with Sri Lanka in **2012** and is now in its **17th edition**.
Where was Exercise DOSTI-17 inaugurated in January 2026 and what was the sea phase?
**Exercise DOSTI-17** was formally inaugurated on **January 17, 2026 in Male, Maldives** (running January 16-19). The **harbour phase** included MARPOL and VBSS training. The **sea phase** involved **Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft**. The trilateral exercise of India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka aims to counter piracy, smuggling, illegal fishing, and pollution.
