US, Russia among 55 nations to join maritime exercise hosted by India

India will host the navies of both the US and Russia at the maritime exercise — Milan 2026 — at Vishakapatnam in February next year.

Vice Chief of the Navy Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan announced the week-long drills to be conducted from February 19 to February 26. "Both the US and Russia have confirmed their presence and will send ships for the exercise," the Vice Admiral said on Friday.

On being asked if Japan and Australia, both partners in the Quad with India and the US, will be part of it, Vice Admiral Vatsayan said both countries had confirmed their participation. There would be 55 countries in the event.

Regarding the exercise, Vice Admiral Vatsayan said, "This will be one of the largest maritime exercise in the region."

The naval exercise will have a harbour phase on February 19-20, followed by a highly complex operational sea phase from February 21 to 25 in the Bay of Bengal.

The sea phase will have anti-submarine drills and air and sea operations. The sea phase would be complex and dynamic, Navy officials explained.

When asked about Chinese ships in the Indian Ocean, the Vice Admiral said all such vessels were being tracked.

The exercise is part of the three major international maritime events at Visakhapatnam. It will be preceded by an international fleet review at the same venue on February 18. India is hosting its third international fleet review, the earlier ones being in 2001 and 2016.

The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium Conclave of Chiefs is scheduled from February 15 to February 25. During the symposium, the Indian Navy would assume chairmanship from 2025 to 2027. It will bring together naval chiefs from 25 members, nine observers and specially invited nations to deliberate on maritime security and information sharing.

An International Maritime Seminar will gather maritime strategists, defence officials, academics and industry leaders to discuss contemporary issues, including maritime collaboration, technology and humanitarian support.