Global fraternity must join hands to tackle evolving maritime challenges, says Raksha Mantri as he inaugurates Exercise MILAN in Vizag

1. At a Glance

• Exercise MILAN is the Indian Navy's flagship biennial multilateral naval exercise, inaugurated by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh at Visakhapatnam on 19 Feb 2026 with participation from 74 countries [1][3].
• Theme aligned with PM Modi's MAHASAGAR vision (evolution of SAGAR) — projects India as a "Vishwa-Mitra" and net security provider in the Indo-Pacific [1].
• High-yield for UPSC: intersects GS-II (bilateral/multilateral, India and the world), GS-III (security, maritime), and current affairs on UNCLOS and Indo-Pacific architecture [1].

2. Why in the News

• On 19 Feb 2026, Rajnath Singh inaugurated MILAN 2026 at Visakhapatnam, calling for a "comprehensive global naval architecture" to strengthen UNCLOS [1].
• Edition concluded on 25 Feb 2026 aboard INS Vikrant off Visakhapatnam — the largest-ever MILAN with 74 countries, 42 ships/submarines and 29 aircraft [2].
• Raksha Mantri interacted with Navy Chiefs/delegations from nine ASEAN member states on the sidelines [4].

3. Background & Evolution

• Incepted in 1995 by the Indian Navy at the Andaman & Nicobar Command with 4 nations: Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand [5].
• Held biennially except 2001, 2005, 2016, 2020 (skipped due to International Fleet Reviews, 2004 Tsunami, and COVID-19 respectively) [5].
• Conceived under "Look East Policy", expanded under "Act East Policy" and SAGAR (2015) to include Western IOR islands and IOR littorals [5].
• Venue shifted from Port Blair to Visakhapatnam from MILAN 2022 onwards [5].
• MAHASAGAR = Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — extends SAGAR beyond the Indian Ocean [2].

4. Core Static Facts

• Full form: MILAN = Multilateral Naval Exercise (origin: Hindi for "meeting/confluence") [5].
• Organiser: Indian Navy (Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam); Ministry: Ministry of Defence [1].
• Frequency: Biennial.
• MILAN 2026 dates: 15–25 Feb 2026 [2].
• Participants 2026: 74 countries; 42 ships/submarines; 29 aircraft; 18 foreign ships; MPA from France, Germany, USA [2].
• Closing venue: INS Vikrant (indigenous aircraft carrier) [2].
• Founding members (1995): Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand [5].
• Guiding doctrines: SAGAR (2015) → MAHASAGAR (2025) [1][2].
• Legal framework cited: UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS, 1982) [1].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Geopolitical / Strategic

• Signals India as preferred security partner in IOR amid Chinese naval expansion (PLAN bases at Djibouti, Gwadar logistics) [1].
• Inclusion of 74 countries dwarfs earlier editions — reflects diplomatic convening power [2].
• Engagement with all 9 ASEAN navies dovetails with Act East and Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) [4].

Legal / Constitutional

• Rajnath Singh urged strengthening UNCLOS-based legal framework through a "comprehensive global naval architecture" — implicit pushback against unilateral maritime claims (e.g., South China Sea) [1].
• India seeks an "equitable maritime order based on international rules & freedom of navigation" [1].

Economic

• Underpins Blue Economy and secure SLOCs (Sea Lines of Communication) — over 90% of India's trade by volume is seaborne [1].

Scientific / Technological

• Showcase of indigenous platforms — INS Vikrant; reinforces Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence shipbuilding [2].

Administrative

• Eastern Naval Command (Visakhapatnam) is lead command; shift from Port Blair reflects scaling needs [5].

6. Recent Developments (last 12–18 months)

• Feb 2026: MILAN 2026 — 74 countries, theme aligned with MAHASAGAR [1][2].
• 2025: PM Modi unveiled MAHASAGAR vision, extending SAGAR beyond IOR [1].
• 2025: Indian Navy launched IOS SAGAR (Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR) and AIKEYME (Africa India Key Maritime Engagement) — sister initiatives to MILAN [6].
• Feb 2024: MILAN 2024 held at Visakhapatnam with theme "Forging Naval Alliances for a Secure Maritime Future" [7].

7. Prelims Hooks

• MILAN was incepted in 1995 at Andaman & Nicobar Command [5].
• Founding 4 nations: Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand [5].
• MILAN is biennial; skipped in 2001, 2005, 2016, 2020 [5].
• MILAN 2026: held at Visakhapatnam, 15–25 Feb 2026 [2].
• 74 countries participated in MILAN 2026 [1][2].
• 42 ships/submarines and 29 aircraft participated in MILAN 2026 [2].
• Closing ceremony held aboard INS Vikrant (India's first indigenous aircraft carrier) [2].
• MAHASAGAR = Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions [2].
• SAGAR = Security and Growth for All in the Region (2015) [5].
• Maritime patrol aircraft from France, Germany, USA participated in MILAN 2026 [2].
• Organising command: Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam (shifted from Port Blair from 2022) [5].
• Legal framework invoked: UNCLOS, 1982 [1].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-II: India and its neighbourhood; bilateral, regional and global groupings affecting India's interests.
• GS-III: Security challenges in maritime domain; role of external state actors.
• Possible question stems:
• "Examine how the evolution from SAGAR to MAHASAGAR reflects India's expanding maritime ambitions in the Indo-Pacific."
• "Multilateral naval exercises like MILAN are diplomatic instruments as much as military ones. Discuss."
• "Discuss the relevance of UNCLOS in an era of contested maritime claims, and India's role in upholding a rules-based maritime order."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• SAGAR / MAHASAGAR doctrine — India's IOR strategy.
• Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) — 2019 PM Modi initiative; pillar approach.
• QUAD Malabar Exercise — compare with MILAN (4-nation vs 74-nation).
• IOS SAGAR & AIKEYME (2025) — sister Indian Navy initiatives [6].
• UNCLOS 1982 — maritime zones, EEZ, freedom of navigation.
• Colombo Security Conclave — India-Sri Lanka-Maldives-Mauritius maritime cooperation.
• IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association) — economic-maritime forum.
• INS Vikrant & indigenous carrier programme — Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• MILAN ≠ Malabar. MILAN is Indian Navy-organised multilateral; Malabar is QUAD (India-US-Japan-Australia).
• Inception year 1995, NOT 1991 or 2001. First held by Andaman & Nicobar Command, not Eastern Naval Command [5].
• Venue: Since 2022 at Visakhapatnam, not Port Blair [5].
• MAHASAGAR (2025) vs SAGAR (2015) — MAHASAGAR is the expanded "Across Regions" version, not a replacement acronym.
• MILAN is biennial, not annual.