Rajnath Singh Advocates for Global Naval Unity at MILAN-2026 Inauguration
In a significant address at the opening ceremony of Exercise MILAN-2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called upon global powers to collaboratively confront the rapidly evolving and interconnected maritime risks facing the world today. Speaking in Visakhapatnam, Singh stressed that such cooperation must be firmly rooted in principles of mutual respect and reciprocity.
Building Shared Understanding Through Joint Exercises
"When our ships sail together, when our sailors train together, and when our commanders deliberate together, we build a shared understanding that transcends geography and politics," Singh declared on Thursday. He highlighted the remarkable growth of the MILAN exercise, which has expanded from involving just four foreign navies in its inaugural 1995 edition to an unprecedented participation of 74 nations this year.
The defence minister addressed visiting navy chiefs and official delegations from all nine ASEAN member states, underscoring the exercise's strategic importance in fostering international naval partnerships.
Addressing Complex Maritime Challenges
Singh outlined the increasingly complex burden shouldered by modern navies as global commerce surges and geopolitical competition intensifies around critical maritime chokepoints and shipping channels. He pointed to rising interests in underwater resources, including rare earth minerals, as a new dimension of maritime competition.
The defence minister further identified transnational terror networks and the escalating impacts of climate change as significant security concerns, noting that climate-related disasters are pushing humanitarian missions to the forefront of naval operations. "No single navy, however capable, can address these challenges alone," Singh emphasized, making a compelling case for strengthened international cooperation.
India's Growing Defence Capabilities
Inviting ASEAN countries to leverage India's expanding defence-industrial base, Singh highlighted how Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative has transformed the Indian Navy into what he termed a "builder's navy." He cited specific examples of this indigenous capability, including the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and the Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, as tangible proof of India's growing shipbuilding prowess.
Evolving Maritime Vision and Global Framework
Singh traced the evolution of India's maritime outlook from the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative to its expanded vision, MAHASAGAR, signaling broader international engagement. He expressed strong support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as a durable framework governing maritime affairs.
The defence minister called for the development of a stronger global naval architecture while reaffirming India's commitment to remaining a steady "vishwa mitra" (world friend) in the Indo-Pacific region. His address set a collaborative tone for the extensive naval exercises to follow, emphasizing that shared training and strategic dialogue among international navies create foundations for lasting security partnerships that benefit all participating nations.
