India invites 41 countries for naval exercise "Milan 2020", leaves China & Pak out

India has reportedly invited 41 countries for its multilateral naval exercise "Milan 2020", scheduled for March 2020 in Visakhapatnam, where it has left out China, Pakistan and Turkey. major countries invited for exercise include US, UK, Japan, Australia, and Russia. Apart from se, France, Sri Lanka, Iran, Bangladesh, UAE, Israel, Qatar, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Indonesia, Egypt, Kenya, among ors have also been invited. 

Possible reasons for ir exclusion

India’s decision to exclude China and Turkey could be seen from prism of ir stance on Kashmir issue. Both countries had criticised India’s move to abrogate special status of Jammu and Kashmir and turn it into Union Territory. India lashed out at both countries saying it was country’s internal matter. India had emphasized that exercise will be held with ‘friendly foreign navies’ which automatically removed possibility of inviting Pakistan amid escalated tension between two countries.

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Mid Planning Conference held

On vember 06, a three-day Mid Planning Conference was held at HQENC Visakhapatnam for MILAN exercise which was attended by 29 delegates from 17 nations. Commodore Sanjiv Issar had briefed on broad programme of MILAN 2020 and scope of exercise were discussed in detail with delegates of participating countries during conference. MILAN started in 1995 as a biennial event and had been conducted at Andaman and Nicobar Command until 2018. For first time, exercise will be conducted on mainland at Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in 2020.

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'Historic occasion for Indian navy'

MILAN 2020 is aimed to enhance professional interaction between friendly foreign navies and learn from each or’s strengths and best practices in maritime domain. During Independence Day celebrations, a Ceremonial Parade was held at ENC comprising of platoons of naval personnel drawn from various ships and establishments. Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain urged everyone to prepare for mega event calling it a historic occasion for Indian Navy.

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(With inputs from ncies)