Maintaining order at sea
Invitations have been sent to 46 countries in preparation for Milan 2022, which is scheduled to take place early next year off Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Milan, which means “meeting” in Hindi, is a biennial, multilateral naval exercise, which had its origins in 1995. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Milan 2020 was canceled. Next year’s Milan will be its largest version yet, with participation from key like-minded partners of India, including the members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad).
The exclusion of China is inevitable given India’s wariness toward its growing strategic presence in the Indian Ocean.
It is important to note that organizing such a large multinational exercise is more than just another ceremonial role for India. Rather, it is an opportunity to cement its position as a major Indo-Pacific power and a responsible net security provider, given that there is now a greater emphasis on the region as it is embroiled in several complex geopolitical developments, such as China’s increasing influence in the Indian Ocean and the solidification of the Quad.
Amid the attempts of certain countries to revise the status quo order in the region, India has demonstrated its commitment by playing a larger role in maintaining the stability of the Indo-Pacific. While Milan has traditionally been seen as framework for the Indian Ocean’s security alone, the advent of the Indo-Pacific construct has significantly enhanced the function of the India-led exercise.
Recognizing this importance, India has spearheaded proactive policies of engagement with strategic partners through the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. These reinvigorated partnerships will greatly benefit the potential of next year’s Milan exercise.
Milan’s first iteration took place with the participation of only four countries besides India, namely Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand. However, despite such humble beginnings, Milan has come a long way. Now around 46 countries are expected to participate in Milan 2022 to spearhead cooperation in crucial and critical areas such as maritime security and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) throughout the greater region.
In fact, the last iteration in 2018 only saw the participation of roughly 16 navies. Moreover, its exponential growth over the years reflects the growing strategic role of the Indian Navy beyond the Bay of Bengal.
The exercises that are conducted provide India with a significant opportunity to enhance interoperability and bolster ties with individual countries. Furthermore, Milan also serves as an important platform for smaller countries with limited capabilities to engage with other naval powers in the region other than constraining their options toward either the United States or China.
Milan has been an important avenue for like-minded partners to come together to maintain the order at sea. Moreover, the common understanding through the sharing of experience aids in crafting a potential roadmap for coordination and cooperation, particularly in addressing common and emerging security challenges in the region.
David Brewster, a renowned Australian scholar and analyst, highlights: “The [Milan] exercise series is not primarily intended for practicing technical skills, but rather is focused on building confidence and relationships among the military maritime community of participating states. The exercise is an expression of India’s success in demonstrating strategic leadership as it grows as a credible power.” Challenges to maritime security Milan has often been viewed as a framework for stability in the Indian Ocean to preserve the rules and peace of the maritime domain through the cooperation of likeminded partners. Moreover, India has established itself as the traditional security provider and major developmental partner in the region.
The Indian Ocean continuous to be an epicenter of various and emerging traditional and non-traditional security issues of these emerging issues involves the rise of China as an assertive great power.
Much is known about its provocative actions toward its smaller neighbors in the Pacific; however, since the mid-2000s, China has begun conducting far sears operations deep in the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, it has engaged in policies to constrain India’s role and influence in the maritime domain through a variety of economic and political strategies with littoral countries.
"Furthermore, Milan also serves as an important platform for smaller countries with limited capabilities to engage with other naval powers in the region other than constraining their options toward either the United States or China.”