Exercise MILAN 2024 exhibits the international commitment toward fostering global maritime security, interoperability, and cooperation
The 12th edition of Exercise MILAN, hosted by the Eastern Naval Command, is headed towards a successful culmination with participating ships engaging in a series of advanced exercises in all three dimensions of maritime warfare during the ongoing sea phase.
 
Marking a new zenith in international maritime collaboration, this biennial multilateral naval exercise, spanning from February 19 to February 27, 2024, has witnessed unprecedented participation from over 50 friendly nations.
 
The Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet shared information about the exercise through a series of posts on social media platform X on Monday (February 26, 2024).
 
The exercises during the sea phase included weapon firings against surface and high-speed aerial targets, anti-submarine warfare, cross-deck landings, carrier operations and seamanship evolutions such as replenishment at sea. The tempo of operations is being built up gradually over the next few days of the exercise, the Eastern Fleet said.
 
A Unified Call for Peace and Cooperation
In his keynote address during the opening ceremony on February 19, 2024, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged the international community to strive collectively for peace within a democratic and rules-based global order. Singh's message emphasized the essential role of proactive collaboration among nations to ensure shared peace and prosperity.
 
Highlighting various concepts of peace, including the critical distinction between negative peace characterized by dominance and hegemony, and positive peace, which encompasses broader notions of security, justice, and cooperation, Singh conveyed India's vision for a global peace that transcends national boundaries.
 
The Strategic Role of Armed Forces and MILAN 2024
The defence minister articulated the dual role of the armed forces in waging wars and maintaining peace. He underscored the significance of international military exercises, such as MILAN 2024, in fostering friendship, understanding, cooperation, and military interoperability within the framework of a democratic world order. MILAN 2024, as a platform, facilitated the much-needed fraternal bonds across oceans, aiming to enhance peace, stability, and prosperity, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
 
Enhancing Maritime Interoperability
Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, delineated MILAN 2024's evolution from its inception in 1995, reflecting its growing stature in fostering collective maritime endeavours. The exercise's sea phase featured advanced naval drills involving air, surface, and undersea domains, designed to consolidate interoperability and mutual understanding among the participating navies. These exercises aimed at operating as a cohesive task force.
 
Cultural Exchange and Technological Showcases
MILAN 2024 also hosted the MILAN Village, a cultural expo showcasing traditions, cuisines, and arts from the participating countries, alongside the Maritime Technical Exposition (MTEX-24). MTEX-24, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), highlighted India's advancements in naval technology and defence self-reliance.
 
This exposition provided a platform for knowledge exchange and partnership development between industry leaders, researchers, and defence professionals, furthering the cause of technological innovation in maritime defence.
 
Exercise MILAN 2024 exhibits the international commitment toward fostering global maritime security, interoperability, and cooperation. The exercise's successful execution not only demonstrated the naval prowess of the participating nations but also reinforced a spirit of camaraderie and mutual understanding. 

As the global maritime community witnessed this united front, MILAN 2024 exemplified the enduring spirit of "Camaraderie, Cohesion, Collaboration," aligning with the broader vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). Through such endeavours, India continues to affirm its role as a pivotal player in promoting maritime peace and stability, cultivating meaningful partnerships for a more connected and equitable world.