The Milan 2026 naval exercises via the Indian Navy Facebook pages, February 27, 2026.
The recently concluded multilateral naval exercises known as MILAN 2026 were important for the entire Indo-Pacific region. For India's national security, the maritime realm is key, both in the short and the long term. This is especially true, given India's long coastline.
India had elucidated the concept of Security and Growth for All in the Region, or SAGAR, during the first term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Later, this was expanded by the Prime Minister into the Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions, better known as the MAHASAGAR vision.
Indigenization is another message that India has been sending out through exercises like the MILAN. In these exercises, India has deployed a wide range of platforms, including the indigenously constructed aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. Along with the MILAN exercises, the port city of Vishakapatnam also played host to the International Fleet Review and a conclave of chiefs of naval staffs during the same period. A total of 71 warships took part, including 45 from the Indian Navy, including the Vikrant carrier battle group.
By hosting this series of events in Visakhapatnam, a port on India's eastern seaboard, New Delhi is sending out a clear message. The Andaman and Nicobar chain of islands is very close to Vishakapatnam, and key global sea lanes of communication pass through this region. In addition, there are non-traditional security threats like piracy, which nations like India have been facing.
Foreign warships participating in the exercises included the Australian frigate HMAS Warramunga, the Japanese destroyer JS Yūdachi, the Korean destroyer ROKS Gang Gam-chan, the US destroyer USS Pinckney, Russia's frigate RFS Marshal Shaposhnikov, the Philippines new frigate BRP Miguel Malvar, South Africa's frigate SAS Amatola, and the United Arab Emirates corvette Al Emarat.
Importance of the Maritime Realm
The maritime realm is key to projecting India's reach. Even in the distant past, it was the maritime realm where India's influence spread, especially in Southeast Asia and also in the Middle East.
By bringing together such a diverse set of countries, New Delhi displayed impressive organizational skills. It also provided an opportunity for India's Defense Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, to interact with the visiting navy chiefs and naval delegations from nine ASEAN member states. This helped to underscore India's commitment to its Act East Policy.
The Japan Connection
For Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision, the Bay of Bengal region is also very important. It is worth reiterating that the Straits of Malacca is a narrow stretch of water, through which a huge share of Japan's exports and imports, such as oil, pass. Earlier, in November 2025, China had issued a strongly worded warning against Japan. Prime Minister Takaichi had noted that if China conducted a naval blockade of Taiwan, it could constitute a "survival-threatening situation," which could prompt Japan to exercise the right of collective self-defense.
At the same time, Japan's maritime relations with India are at an all-time high. This is a big change from earlier times, when naval contacts were limited to those between the coast guards of the two countries.
India's Goals
The MILAN exercises kicked off with a presidential fleet review at sea. presided over by the Honorable President of India. It showcased indigenous platforms, including INS Vikrant, India's first domestically built aircraft carrier. Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, Nilgiri-class stealth frigates, and Arnala-class anti-submarine warfare corvettes also participated, reflecting India's transformation into a "builder's navy."
As per the Indian Navy, the primary goals of MILAN 2026 included "operational interoperability, advanced warfare training." These focused on the "sea phase" (February 21–25), which included live-fire drills, anti-submarine warfare, and complex electronic warfare scenarios.
The participating navies also practiced combating asymmetric threats, practiced collective responses to non-traditional challenges like piracy, drone swarms, and maritime terrorism, and humanitarian synergy. Other activities included enhancing subject matter expert exchanges and streamlining search-and-rescue and disaster relief protocols.
India's international fleet review tradition began with the 2001 Mumbai edition, which hosted 20 foreign navies. It reached greater heights with the 2016 Visakhapatnam IFR, welcoming navies from around the world. Exercise MILAN was launched in 1995 with four navies at Port Blair. However, it has evolved into a premier multilateral exercise with partner navies across the globe participating in 2026.
The Elephant in the Room
Unquestionably, India's naval diplomacy has come of age. Nevertheless, the road ahead is a long one. New Delhi has been trying to become the "preferred security partner" of many countries across the world, and through MILAN 2026, it has certainly marched many steps forward in that direction.
The elephant in the room was, of course, China. Many countries are wary of this giant neighbor, even if they have good economic relations with Beijing.
In the field of disaster relief, too, the Indian Navy has played a leading role, as seen in the aftermath of the disastrous Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004. It has also undertaken massive evacuation efforts, as seen in the aftermath of the conflict in Yemen, where it evacuated not only Indian nationals but also the nationals of many other countries.
MILAN 2026 reflects in a way the coming of age of India's naval diplomacy and its desire to play a bigger role in the naval domain of the Indian Ocean region.
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Author: Dr Rupakjyoti Borah
Dr Borah is a Senior Research Fellow with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies. The views expressed are personal.
