MILAN Village opens in Visakhapatnam as Indian Navy prepares for major multilateral exercise as the Indian Navy inaugurated the MILAN Village on 15 February 2026 at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam as part of its flagship international naval exercise, MILAN 2026.
The 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.
Conceptualised as an experience zone, the MILAN Village brings together delegates and naval personnel from over 70 countries in an atmosphere aimed at fostering camaraderie and friendship.
The facility is designed to serve as a hub for social and cultural exchanges, enabling engagement beyond professional interactions.
A central feature of the village is its focus on cultural exchange, offering visitors an immersive glimpse into India’s diverse heritage and traditions.
The venue will host live performances by vocal artists, traditional folk-dance presentations, and cultural ensembles reflecting the country’s artistic legacy.
The village also features stalls showcasing naval souvenirs along with handicraft and handloom products from across India.
Visitors will additionally be offered a wide range of Indian cuisine representing regional flavours.
In his remarks, Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla stated 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.”
The inauguration marks the beginning of a broader sequence of engagements being conducted by the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam.
Exercise MILAN 2026 is scheduled to be held from 15 to 25 February 2026 and will form a key pillar of India’s maritime convergence alongside the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 and the IONS Conclave of Chiefs.
As one of the largest multilateral naval exercises in the Indo-Pacific, MILAN 2026 will bring together navies from across the globe to strengthen interoperability, maritime domain awareness, and collective response capabilities.
The Harbour and Sea Phases of the exercise will focus on complex maritime operations, including anti-submarine warfare, air defence, search and rescue, and cooperative security missions, reinforcing a shared commitment to free, open, inclusive and rules-based seas.
MILAN 2026 is also positioned as a major operational manifestation of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision, reaffirming India’s role as a Preferred Security Partner and a responsible stakeholder in the global maritime commons.
