New Delhi. The maritime domain, a significant global common, has helped bridge the continents for ages. Accordingly, Navies across the world have been the shining ambassadors of respective nation’s international diplomatic efforts. The strategic location of the Indian subcontinent has made it a focal point for trade and international relations through which there has been a constant exchange of cultures, resources, assets and ideas. The Indian Navy has thus emerged as India’s tether to maintain international relations with other nations, militarily and diplomatically.
Among the various activities undertaken by the Indian Navy in this regard, including Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations, visits to friendly countries, and military assistance, the MILAN exercise has emerged as the Indian Navy’s flagship event towards fostering camaraderie, Cohesion and Collaboration among friendly countries. The exercise resonates with India’s international diplomatic efforts namely ‘Act East policy’ and ‘Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)’.
The MILAN exercise, from its humble beginnings in 1995, has metamorphosed itself to a stature befitting global commons and aligns with India’s concomitant G20 Presidency theme of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. MILAN 24 is the 12th edition of this exercise
The MILAN exercise, which translates into ‘meeting’ or ‘gathering’ in Hindi, was incepted in 1995 as a biennial multinational event, which flourished under the aegis of Andaman and Nicobar Command till its 10th edition and later shifted to Visakhapatnam with 11th edition. MILAN 24, the 12th edition of this exercise, will be conducted from February 19-27, 2024, at Visakhapatnam. MILAN 24 is likely to witness its largest-ever participation with invites extended to over 58 friendly foreign navies.
MILAN 24 would comprise two phases – the ‘Harbour phase’ and the ‘Sea phase’. The Harbour phase, aimed to promote cultural and professional sharing amongst the participating nations, would comprise the International Maritime Seminar, International City Parade at RK Beach, maritime tech Exhibition, Subject Matter Expert Exchange, Milan of Young Officers and various sporting events.
In the Sea phase, ships along with aircraft of friendly countries would participate along with the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers and other units. It will involve large-force manoeuvres, advanced air defence operations, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface operations, which are aimed at honing the skills of operators, maintainers, planners and executors across the full range of their skill sets, responsibilities and authority onboard a warship. It will also give the navies a chance to incorporate and instill the best practices and procedures and enable doctrinal learning in the maritime domain through professional interactions.
In the Sea phase of MILAN 24, ships along with aircraft of friendly countries would participate along with the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers and other units. It will involve large-force manoeuvres, advanced air defence operations, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface operations
The MILAN exercise, from its humble beginnings in 1995, has metamorphosed itself to a stature befitting global commons and aligns with India’s concomitant G20 Presidency theme of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. India-led exercise greatly complements the existing bilateral and multilateral maritime framework aimed at preserving regional peace while fostering bonds of maritime brotherhood across the oceans. As the Indian Navy projects itself as the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ in the region, MILAN 24 re-affirms India’s unabated diplomatic efforts aimed at inclusivity of all nations and progress through peace.
