Current Maritime Challenges and Cooperation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the multifaceted challenges facing global maritime security, emphasizing the necessity for collaborative efforts among international naval forces.

Key Challenges

• Security Threats:
  • Piracy and maritime terrorism
  • Illegal fishing and trafficking
  • Cyber vulnerabilities
  • Disruptions to critical supply chains
• Economic and Environmental Issues:
  • Exponential economic growth leading to increased international trade
  • Contests over ownership of maritime straits and channels
  • Climate change intensifying natural disasters
  • Rising interest in underwater resources, particularly rare-earth minerals

International Cooperation

The Defence Minister underscored the importance of enhanced cooperation among Navies to ensure maritime security, stating that no single Navy, however capable, can tackle these challenges alone.

Exercise MILAN 2026

The MILAN exercise serves as a platform for fostering cooperation and understanding among global naval forces:

• Held in Visakhapatnam, involving Navy Chiefs and delegations from 74 countries.
• Designed to build professional expertise, mutual trust, and interoperability.
• Includes both a harbour phase for professional interaction and a sea phase focusing on advanced operational exercises.
• Reflects India's role as a trusted maritime partner and aims to establish an equitable maritime order based on international rules.

India's Role in Maritime Security

India positions itself as a vishwa mitra (global friend), committed to holistic maritime security through cooperation and shared commitment with like-minded nations.

Vision and Approach

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi underlined the collaborative vision of MAHASAGAR, rooted in PM Narendra Modi’s inclusive and partnership-based approach to maritime challenges.