Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi set a resolute tone at the opening of MILAN 2024, the Indian Navy’s 13th multinational exercise, proclaiming it the ‘Oceanic Kumbh Mela.’ Speaking to envoys from 74 nations, he asserted, ‘Safe seas mean a safe world—nations must unite to safeguard them.’
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s participation underscored governmental resolve. The Admiral highlighted that no single country can tackle alone the spectrum of sea-based threats: piracy, contraband, extremism, or calamities. Joint planning and action are non-negotiable.
Aligning with the SAGAR framework, India champions mutual respect in alliances, leveraging each partner’s forte for amplified impact. The Navy is scaling up interactions across global, regional, and neighborhood fronts—from IOR joint patrols involving 44 personnel from nine countries, to fresh Africa-focused maneuvers, and crisis aid embodying ‘Neighbourhood First.’
Since its 1995 inception, MILAN has become a beacon of reliability, now amplified by unprecedented 74-nation involvement. The agenda features intricate naval drills, strategy sessions, knowledge-sharing, and cultural festivities to solidify relationships.
Admiral Tripathi invoked India’s heritage of fostering unity, positioning MILAN as a hub for shared maritime destiny. Transnational threats demand transnational solutions. Spotlighting IOS Sagar 2.0 and Africa-India exercises, he affirmed India’s role as a dependable first responder. Looking ahead, he predicted MILAN 2026 will catalyze historic progress in maritime security, ensuring protected and accessible oceans.