Visakhapatnam, February 19 – Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that India aspires to establish a fair maritime order based on international rules and freedom of navigation in accordance with international law.
He emphasized the need for the international community to work together to address maritime challenges.
While inaugurating the multilateral naval exercise MILAN 2026, he noted that traditional and emerging threats coexist. "These include piracy, maritime terrorism, illegal fishing, trafficking, cyber vulnerabilities, and disruptions to critical supply chains. Climate change is intensifying natural disasters, making humanitarian and disaster relief operations more frequent and demanding. No single navy, however capable, can address these challenges alone. This is why cooperation among navies is no longer an option, it is a necessity," he said.
The Defence Minister said that the international community must join hands to manage these challenges harmoniously and act in the spirit of mutual respect.
He pointed out that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides a robust legal framework for addressing matters related to international waters. UNCLOS provides a comprehensive and time-tested mechanism for dispute resolution and peaceful coexistence among nations.
"I believe that this legal framework can be further strengthened through a comprehensive global naval architecture, one that facilitates information sharing, protects communication links, and curbs criminal activities, including terrorism on the high seas, along with the usual role of protecting national boundaries on a global scale," he said.
He observed that exercises like MILAN bring together professional expertise, build mutual trust, enhance interoperability, and enable coordinated responses to common challenges.
He pointed out that India has long recognized the need for cooperation.
"Accordingly, our approach to the seas, shaped by the Vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), has evolved into Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). This evolution from SAGAR, meaning seas, to 'MAHASAGAR' or oceans, reflects India's deepening and expanding commitment to engage with partners in the region and beyond," he said.
The Defence Minister told the participants that as a true "Vishwa-Mitra" or a trusted global friend, India will continue to play a constructive and dependable role in the region. We believe that holistic maritime security and mutual prosperity are indivisible and can only be achieved through cooperation, trust, and shared commitment among like-minded nations," he said.
He noted that MILAN has grown steadily in scope and stature. Over the years, due to the concerted efforts of all partners, MILAN has evolved from a regional interaction into one of the world's most prominent multinational naval exercises. It has evolved into one of India's most credible and consistent maritime engagements, the Defence Minister said.
This year, with the participation of 74 nations, MILAN 2026 stands as the largest and most inclusive edition to date, a reflection of the confidence the global maritime community places in India as a trusted and responsible maritime partner," he added.