New Delhi: The Maldives has declined India’s invitation to participate in a biennial naval exercise which starts from March 6, this year.
Navy Chief Admiral, Sunil Lanba mentioned that the Maldives has declined India’s invitation to participate in the biennial naval exercise named ‘Milan’. This eight-day naval exercise will be hosted by India and starts from March 6. Almost 16 countries are invited for this joint activity that will take place in Port Blaire. Australia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Oman Vietnam, Thailand, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, and Cambodia are the countries that have confirmed their participation.
Milan 2018, a biennial multinational naval exercise will be hosted by the Indian Military’s Andaman and Nicobar Command. The theme of the event emphasizes upon improving naval ties among nations. The underlying subject of the event is “friendship across the sea.”
Sunil Lamba mentioned that navy is aware of the Chinese activities in the Indian Ocean. Their pattern of the organization had been same from past many years. He added at any time, there are 8-10 ships in the Indian Ocean.
China is showing great interest in the Maldives, as it is about to set up Joint Ocean Observation Station in the Indian Ocean near Maldives. The issues of China’s growing military posturing in the Indo-Pacific region are likely to figure during discussions among navy chiefs from various participant countries.