The stage was set in New Delhi for the colossal 13th MILAN naval exercise, branded by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi as the ‘Maritime Mahakumbh.’ Greeting delegates from 74 countries, he delivered a stark message: global safety hinges on secure oceans, achievable only through multinational solidarity.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s attendance amplified the occasion’s gravity, reflecting India’s strategic maritime priorities. Threats like sea robbery, smuggling networks, maritime terror, and disasters ignore frontiers, the Admiral observed, calling for integrated countermeasures.
Invoking PM Modi’s visionary SAGAR initiative, he advocated strength-sharing partnerships. India’s Navy advances this via multi-level cooperation: expansive IOR missions like IOS Sagar with nine partners, pioneering African naval ties, and reliable neighborly aid per ‘Neighbourhood First.’
From humble beginnings in 1995, MILAN now stands as trust’s grand arena, its scale unprecedented with 74 participants. Expect intense sea-phase operations, high-level talks, experiential learning, and bonding events ahead.
Rooted in India’s unifying ethos, this forum unites navies for open, safeguarded seas. The Admiral elaborated on IOS Sagar 2.0’s expansion and distance-defying collaborations. As a maritime heavyweight, India leads by example in countering complex perils through alliance. He forecasted MILAN 2026 as a game-changer, fortifying the global quest for stable, inclusive maritime domains.