MILAN 2026: A milestone in India’s journey from Regional Navy to Maritime power
The Indian Navy on Wednesday commenced the 13th edition of Exercise MILAN 2026 , hosting one of the largest-ever congregations of foreign navies on Indian shores. With participation from more than 70 countries , the multilateral maritime exercise marks a significant milestone in India’s expanding role as a key security partner in the Indo-Pacific and beyond . The exercise is being held at Visakhapatnam and is being conducted in two phases , with the Harbour Phase beginning on February 19 and the Sea Phase commencing from February 20 onwards .
Exercise MILAN traces its origins to 1995 , when it was first conducted at Port Blair with the participation of only four friendly navies . Initially conceived as a confidence-building measure among regional maritime forces, the exercise gradually expanded in scale and ambition. Over the past three decades, MILAN has evolved from a small regional interaction into a major multilateral platform for maritime cooperation , reflecting India’s sustained diplomatic outreach and growing stature in global naval affairs.
Defence analysts view MILAN 2026 as a clear symbol of India’s rise as a maritime power and a trusted security partner . In the last decade, India has significantly modernised its naval fleet, strengthened blue-water capabilities and deepened strategic partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region. The unprecedented scale of participation in this edition underscores India’s emergence as a central pillar of maritime stability and cooperative security . For the first time in maritime history, such a large number of navies have assembled under a single exercise framework, signalling a shared commitment to peace, stability and a rules-based order at sea .
The Indian Navy has described MILAN 2026 as an embodiment of the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The World is One Family), emphasising cooperation, camaraderie and collaboration among nations. Beyond naval manoeuvres, the exercise serves as a strategic platform for professional interaction , trust-building and the exchange of best practices among participating forces. It highlights India’s approach of inclusive security and collective responsibility in addressing maritime challenges.
Key highlights of MILAN 2026 include the participation of over 70 navies from Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas and Oceania, making it the largest edition of the exercise to date. The Harbour Phase will focus on seminars, professional exchanges, cultural interactions and coordination meetings, while the Sea Phase will feature complex maritime drills, tactical manoeuvres and communication exercises. The exercise places special emphasis on enhancing interoperability and addressing emerging threats such as securing Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), combating piracy , and conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
As India celebrates the 77th year of its Republic , MILAN 2026 stands as a powerful expression of its expanding defence diplomacy and maritime outreach . With warships and personnel from more than 70 nations assembled at Visakhapatnam, the exercise goes beyond routine training to become a historic milestone in collective maritime partnership . It underscores India’s vision of a free, open, inclusive and rules-based maritime order and reinforces its growing role as a unifying force for peace and cooperation across the world’s oceans.