Visakhapatnam: In a compelling call for global cooperation, India’s Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, urged the international community to collectively aspire for peace in the democratic and rules-based world order. Speaking at the formal opening ceremony of the 12th edition of the multi-nation Exercise MILAN in Visakhapatnam on February 21, 2024, Shri Rajnath Singh emphasized the need for individual countries to proactively collaborate for shared peace and prosperity.
The ceremony, attended by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar and a distinguished gathering of Ministers, Ambassadors, Chiefs of Navies, and representatives of Maritime Forces from over 50 friendly countries, marked the commencement of MILAN 2024.
Addressing the concept of peace, Shri Rajnath Singh identified the absence of wars and conflicts as the fundamental element. He discussed the nuances of “negative peace,” cautioning against dominance or hegemony, which he described as an “unstable equilibrium.” He also touched upon the idea of “cold peace,” emphasizing that it is merely an interval between direct conflicts.
The Defence Minister argued for the broader notion of “positive peace,” which goes beyond the absence of direct military conflict and encompasses security, justice, and cooperation. He reiterated Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of the current era being one of “dialogue and diplomacy.”
Highlighting the dual role of Armed Forces in conducting wars and maintaining peace, Shri Rajnath Singh underscored the historical significance of navies and armies in preserving peace through deterrence, conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and humanitarian assistance efforts.
International military exercises, according to the Defence Minister, have become crucial mechanisms for fostering friendship, understanding, cooperation, and military interoperability. He lauded MILAN 2024 as an attempt to build fraternal bonds across oceans and mountains within the framework of a democratic world order.
While advocating for peace and shared goodness, Shri Rajnath Singh reassured that India would not hesitate to counter any threat undermining collective well-being, including piracy and trafficking. He referred to recent events in the Western Indian Ocean and affirmed India’s steadfast resolve to be the “First Responder and the Preferred Security Partner” in the Indian Ocean Region.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, aligning MILAN with the Government of India’s vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), stated that the exercise reflects the growing stature and importance of collective and cooperative endeavors in the maritime domain.
The MILAN Village, inaugurated by the Defence Minister, became a rendezvous of cultures, traditions, and cuisine from participating nations. The village showcases a vibrant tapestry of cultures, promoting a sense of camaraderie among the naval personnel and visitors.
Additionally, Shri Rajnath Singh launched the NISHAR communication terminal, emphasizing the importance of communication in achieving interoperability among friendly partner navies. The Maritime Technical Exposition MTEX-24, inaugurated by the Defence Minister, focuses on India’s push towards self-reliance in the defence sector, showcasing advancements in naval technology.
MILAN 2024, a biennial multilateral naval exercise under the Eastern Naval Command, is the largest and most complex edition to date, with Indian and foreign warships, maritime patrol aircraft, and delegations from 16 friendly countries. The exercise, themed ‘Camaraderie Cohesion Collaboration,’ began on February 19 and will conclude on February 27 after the sea phase.
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