Indian Navy Opens ‘Milan Village’ in Visakhapatnam to Deepen Maritime Partnerships During Exercise MILAN 2026

Visakhapatnam, February 16: The Indian Navy has unveiled a specially designed interaction zone titled ‘Milan Village’ in Visakhapatnam, marking a vibrant cultural and diplomatic addition to the ongoing multinational naval engagement, Exercise MILAN 2026. The initiative was formally inaugurated on February 15 at the Eastern Naval Command by Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, who heads the Command.

Conceived as a welcoming and immersive space, the Milan Village is aimed at fostering informal exchanges among naval delegates representing more than 70 countries. While the operational aspects of MILAN focus on tactical coordination and maritime security, this dedicated venue has been created to encourage camaraderie, dialogue and cultural understanding among participating nations.

Designed to reflect India’s civilisational diversity, the Village features curated cultural showcases, including live music recitals, folk dance performances and artistic presentations drawn from different regions of the country. The setting provides visiting officers and sailors an opportunity to experience India’s heritage beyond formal meetings and joint drills.

Artisans and exhibitors from across India are displaying naval memorabilia, traditional handicrafts and handloom products, offering guests a glimpse into the country’s craftsmanship traditions. Culinary counters serving regional Indian dishes have also been set up, adding a gastronomic dimension to the cultural engagement.

Speaking at the inauguration, Vice Admiral Bhalla underlined that the Milan Village complements the professional objectives of the exercise by strengthening personal bonds and mutual trust among partner navies. He noted that Visakhapatnam is currently at the centre of an unprecedented maritime congregation, as it hosts MILAN alongside the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 and the IONS Conclave of Chiefs.

Scheduled from February 15 to 25, MILAN 2026 is among the Indo-Pacific’s largest multilateral naval exercises. Participating forces will undertake both Harbour and Sea Phase activities, including advanced anti-submarine operations, coordinated air defence drills, search-and-rescue missions and cooperative security exercises. The engagement aims to enhance interoperability, improve maritime domain awareness and reinforce collective preparedness in safeguarding open and rules-based seas.

The event also aligns with the Government of India’s broader maritime vision to expand cooperation across the global commons, positioning India as a reliable and proactive security partner in the region.

With the theme “Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration,” Milan Village stands as the cultural heart of MILAN 2026—demonstrating that maritime diplomacy extends beyond ships and strategy to shared traditions, dialogue and enduring friendships.