Context:

• India will host navies from at least 16 countries for an eight-day mega naval exercise – MILAN
• The exercise aims to expand regional cooperation and combat unlawful activities in critical sea lanes.
• The exercise is being organized at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the backdrop of China’s growing military posturing in the region. And the issue is likely to figure during deliberations among navy chiefs of the participating countries at the event
• The theme of this year’s Milan International Maritime Seminar is “In Pursuit of Maritime Good Order — Need for Comprehensive Information Sharing Apparatus”.
• The countries which are participating in the exercise include Australia, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Oman, Vietnam, Thailand, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya and Cambodia.

About MILAN

• MILAN is a congregation of littoral navies conducted biennially by the Indian Navy under the aegis of the Andaman and Nicobar Command.
• It was first held in 1995 with the participation of just five navies.
• The aim of the initiative was to have an effective forum to discuss common concerns in the Indian Ocean Region and forge deeper cooperation among friendly navies.

Source:TH