Visakhapatnam: The Indian Navy inaugurated the MILAN Village on 15 February 2026 at the Eastern Naval Command as part of its flagship multilateral naval exercise, Exercise MILAN 2026.
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, who formally opened the village for participating navies and toured the specially curated facilities aimed at fostering global maritime engagement.
A Cultural and Diplomatic Experience Zone
Conceptualised as a vibrant experience zone, the MILAN Village brings together delegates and naval personnel from over 70 countries in an atmosphere of camaraderie and friendship. The village has been designed as a hub for social and cultural exchange, extending engagement beyond formal naval interactions.
A key highlight of the MILAN Village is its emphasis on India’s rich cultural heritage. The venue will host:
- Live performances by vocal artists
- Traditional folk-dance performances
- Cultural ensembles showcasing India’s artistic legacy
The initiative reflects the broader diplomatic and soft-power dimension of the exercise.
Showcasing India’s Craftsmanship and Cuisine
The MILAN Village features a wide range of stalls offering naval souvenirs, handicrafts, and handloom products representing craftsmanship from across India.
Visitors are also being treated to diverse regional Indian cuisine, presenting a spectrum of flavors and culinary traditions from different parts of the country.
Leadership Remarks on Maritime Outreach
In his address, Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla emphasized that:
“MILAN Village reflects the spirit of camaraderie and cultural connect that complements professional naval engagement. As Visakhapatnam hosts IFR, MILAN and IONS in close succession, this convergence represents a significant moment in India’s maritime outreach and cooperative engagement with partner navies.”
His remarks underlined the strategic importance of the maritime convergence taking place in Visakhapatnam.
Part of a Larger Maritime Convergence
Exercise MILAN 2026 is being held in Visakhapatnam from 15 to 25 February 2026. It forms a key pillar of India’s broader maritime engagements alongside:
- International Fleet Review 2026
- Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs
As one of the largest multilateral naval exercises in the Indo-Pacific region, MILAN 2026 will bring together navies from across the globe to strengthen:
- Interoperability
- Maritime domain awareness
- Collective response capabilities
Harbour and Sea Phases to Focus on Complex Operations
The Harbour and Sea Phases of the exercise will include advanced maritime operations such as:
- Anti-submarine warfare
- Air defence drills
- Search and rescue missions
- Cooperative security operations
These engagements aim to reinforce a shared commitment to free, open, inclusive, and rules-based seas.
MILAN 2026 is also seen as an operational manifestation of the Prime Minister’s MAHASAGAR vision, reaffirming India’s role as a Preferred Security Partner and a responsible stakeholder in the global maritime commons.
Theme: Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration
As the cultural centrepiece of MILAN 2026, the MILAN Village embodies the theme “Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration.” It symbolizes the shared commitment of participating navies toward cultural exchange, friendship-building, and strengthened maritime partnerships.
The inauguration marks the beginning of an intensive sequence of naval engagements in Visakhapatnam, positioning India at the forefront of cooperative maritime diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific.
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