MALDIVES – Maldives has rejected India’s invitation to participate inthe international Naval exercise which starts on March 6, Navy chiefadmiral Sunil Lanba said on Tuesday.
Maldives has not given any reason for the decision, Lanba told reporters onthe sidelines of an event in New Delhi.
Navy sources said over 16 countries have confirmed their participation inthe exercise.
India will host navies from at least 16 countries for the eight-day meganaval exercise with an aim to expand regional cooperation and combatunlawful 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 the event.
India, the US and several other nations have been pressing for freedom ofnavigation in the disputed South China Sea.