India calls for greater naval cooperation as MILAN 2026 kicks off with 74 nations in Visakhapatnam

New Delhi, February 19. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged the global maritime community to work together to address increasingly complex and interconnected challenges at sea, as he inaugurated Exercise MILAN 2026 in Visakhapatnam on February 19.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, the multinational naval exercise has drawn navy chiefs and heads of delegations from 74 countries, underscoring its growing diplomatic and strategic significance.

Addressing the gathering, Singh highlighted the expanding role of navies in preserving international peace amid rapid economic growth and rising global trade. He pointed to emerging tensions over strategic waterways, increased competition for underwater resources such as rare-earth minerals, and the persistent threat of maritime terrorism. Traditional security threats, he noted, now coexist with newer challenges including piracy, illegal fishing, trafficking, cyber vulnerabilities and disruptions to critical supply chains.

Climate change, he added, has further complicated the maritime environment by intensifying natural disasters and increasing the demand for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

“No single navy, however capable, can address these challenges alone,” Singh said, calling for deeper cooperation and coordinated responses.

The Defence Minister emphasised the importance of strengthening the legal framework provided by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), describing it as a time-tested mechanism for peaceful coexistence and dispute resolution. He proposed the development of a comprehensive global naval architecture to enhance information sharing, safeguard sea lines of communication and curb criminal activities, including terrorism on the high seas.

Singh said that established international systems were witnessing upheaval, making platforms such as MILAN vital for building trust, enhancing interoperability and fostering professional exchanges. He described MILAN 2026 as a reflection of the global maritime community’s confidence in India as a responsible and reliable partner committed to a rule-based maritime order and freedom of navigation.

Highlighting India’s maritime outlook, Singh traced the evolution of the country’s vision from SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) to MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), signalling New Delhi’s broader commitment to collaborative security beyond the Indian Ocean. He reiterated India’s role as a “Vishwa-Mitra” or global friend, citing its participation in coordinated patrols, joint exclusive economic zone surveillance, hydrographic assistance and rapid humanitarian responses during crises.

Chief of the Naval Staff Dinesh K Tripathi described MILAN as a “Maritime Mahakumbh”, bringing together naval professionals united by a shared commitment to keeping the seas safe and open. He said the exercise reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision of inclusive and collaborative maritime engagement. The Indian Navy, he added, seeks to strengthen collective resilience and operational synergy through joint drills and exchanges.

MILAN 2026 will be conducted in two phases. The Harbour Phase will focus on professional interactions, seminars, subject matter exchanges, bilateral meetings, and cultural engagements aimed at strengthening mutual understanding. The subsequent Sea Phase will feature advanced maritime manoeuvres, coordinated security operations and communication drills designed to enhance interoperability and operational readiness.

Senior officials, including DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat and Eastern Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, attended the inauguration, highlighting the exercise’s diplomatic weight.

Through MILAN 2026, India aims to reinforce cooperative maritime engagement and collective security, reaffirming its role as a dependable partner and net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.