NEW DELHI: India will host navies from at least 16 countries for aneight-day mega naval exercise from March 6 with an aim to expand regionalcooperation and combat unlawful activities in critical sea lanes.
The biennial exercise ‘Milan’ is being organised at the Andaman and NicobarIslands in the backdrop of China’s growing military posturing in theIndo-Pacific region and officials said the issue is likely to figure duringdeliberations among navy chiefs of the participating countries at theevent, PTI has reported.
“The interactions during Milan encompass sharing of views and ideas onmaritime good order and enhancing regional cooperation for combatingunlawful activities at sea,” Spokesperson of Indian Navy Capt D K Sharmasaid.
He said the countries which are participating in the exercise includeAustralia, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Oman,Vietnam, Thailand, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Bangladesh, Indonesia,Kenya and Cambodia.
Besides fostering cooperation through naval exercises and professionalinteractions, Capt Sharma said ‘Milan’ will also provide an opportunity tothe participating navies to nurture stronger ties in dealing with varioussecurity challenges.
India, the US and several other nations have been pressing for freedom ofnavigation in the disputed South China Sea.
Officials said China’s military manoeuvres in the South China Sea mayfigure during discussions among navy chiefs of the participating countriesat the event.
In November, India, the US, Australia and Japan gave shape to thelong-pending quadrilateral coalition to develop a new strategy to keep thecritical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of Chinese influence.
“From an event of sub-regional context, Milan has now grown into aprestigious international event and encompasses participation by maritimeforces from not just the Bay of Bengal and South East Asia but the largerIndian Ocean Region (lOR),” Sharma said.
‘Milan’ was first held in 1995 with the participation of just five navies.The aim of the initiative was to have an effective forum to discuss commonconcerns in the Indian Ocean Region and forge deeper cooperation amongfriendly navies.
The exercise is being hosted by the Indian Navy under the aegis of theAndaman and Nicobar Command.