Indian naval ship arrives in Maldives to take part in exercises

An Indian naval ship “Kalpeni” has arrived in Maldives to take part in some 5 days of exercises conducted jointly with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard.

Indian Media sources have reported that the main purpose of the exercises is to conduct maritime security patrol in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Maldives.

Sources say that the joint exercises are aimed at increasing maritime security in the Indian Ocean region, especially in the waters around Maldives. The current exercise is a part of a series of exercises under bilateral cooperation to protect the Indian Ocean.

The “Kalpeni” belongs to a new generation of naval ships, and was designed and built in Kolkata, India, and is named after an island of Lakshadweep in the Indian Ocean.

The ship performs roles such as coastal surveillance and patrol, anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, fisheries protection, search and rescue operations and naval escort operations.