News Desk
MUMBAI, India — The Maldives National Defence Force’s flagship vessel, the Coast Guard Ship Huravi, sailed back to the Maldives on Monday after a four-month repair stint at Mumbai’s Naval Dockyard. The departure of the Huravi, the largest and most advanced ship in the Maldivian Navy/Coast Guard, marks a milestone in the deepening partnership between India and the Maldives, two nations bound by shared maritime interests and a commitment to regional stability.
The Huravi, a modern replacement for a 2006 vessel of the same name gifted by India, arrived in Mumbai on Nov. 13, 2024, for its first-ever major overhaul in India. The Indian Navy, in a Facebook post, celebrated the successful refurbishment, noting that the vessel’s machinery, weapons, and sensors were meticulously restored. The ship underwent rigorous port and sea trials, equipment checks, safety audits, and operational training to ensure it was ready to resume its duties safeguarding Maldivian waters.
“The successful rehabilitation of the MNDF Huravi underscores the strong foreign and defense ties between our two countries,” the Indian Navy wrote, reaffirming India’s role as a steadfast partner in the Indian Ocean region. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh formally handed over the revitalized vessel to Maldivian Government, a gesture that symbolized the enduring goodwill between New Delhi and Malé.
The Huravi’s journey to Mumbai was more than a routine repair mission; it was a testament to the robust collaboration that has flourished between the two nations. Since donating the original Huravi in 2006, India has provided free maintenance every two years, with the vessel undergoing six prior refits at Indian dockyards. The new Huravi, larger and more capable than its predecessor, is a cornerstone of the Maldives’ maritime security, equipped to handle a range of operations from coastal patrols to disaster response.
India’s support for the Maldives extends beyond the Huravi. In 2019, India gifted the Maldivian Navy/Coast Guard a naval vessel named “Success,” further bolstering its fleet.
The Maldives, long reliant on India for its naval and coast guard operations, is now taking steps to build its own navy. Recently, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s government has imported military hardware and accepted a gunboat gifted by the Turkish Navy. President Muizzu has emphasized that enhancing defense capabilities is a matter of national pride, stating, “There is no shame in strengthening our forces to protect our sovereignty and waters.”
As the Huravi cuts through the waves on its journey home, it carries with it the promise of continued cooperation. In Malé, officials and citizens alike await the return of their flagship, a symbol of national pride and a reminder of the strong ties that bind India and the Maldives in their quest for a peaceful and secure region.
