What is Indian Navy’s Exercise Milan 2026?

New Delhi: Indian Navy’s Multilateral Maritime Exercise MILAN 2026 was conducted in the sea near Visakhapatnam. The 13th edition of Milan took place from 21 February to 25 February. According to the Indian Navy, 74 countries participated in Milan 2026, making it the largest and most inclusive event ever, with Germany, the Philippines and the UAE participating for the first time with military assets.

42 warships and 29 military aircraft took part

According to the Indian Navy, about 42 warships and 29 military aircraft from around the world were part of this exercise. There were also 18 foreign warships among them and one of them was Iran’s warship IRIS Dena. This Iranian warship was returning back to Iran after completing the exercise in Visakhapatnam, but on the way something happened in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka, which surprised everyone.

America attacked Iranian warship

A US Navy submarine attacked IRIS Dena with a torpedo. The warship sank in the sea within minutes of the attack. There were about 180 soldiers on the ship. Many people lost their lives in this attack and some were rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy. The American Defense Department says that for the first time after World War-2, a warship has been attacked and sunk with a torpedo. That means this is not just a naval clash, but also a historic military moment.

This statement came out from Iran

The simple fact is that Iran has directly held America responsible for this attack and has also warned it. But at the same time, one thing has definitely been highlighted by calling IRIS Dena a guest of the Indian Navy. As if it was being reminded that this ship had just returned from the MILAN exercise held in India. It is important to understand one important thing here.

The warship of any country is under the command of the Navy of that country. When a ship arrives at the port of another country, the responsibility of the guest country is only up to its territorial waters i.e. its maritime limits. But as soon as the ship leaves the high seas. Full responsibility for his safety. It belongs to the Navy of the same country. Whose ship it is.

What do international naval rules say?

India can host exercises in Visakhapatnam, but it is not possible to provide security to every country’s ship in the entire Indian Ocean. International naval rules clearly state that the responsibility of any warship lies with the navy of that country. Whose ship it is. So what happened to IRIS Dena is definitely a tragic incident. The loss of so many soldiers’ lives at sea is a matter of concern for any country. Naturally, concern has been raised on this in India also. But there is another truth also. This incident happened in international waters.

If we understand what happened more accurately, then it is the effect of the big conflict going on in the Middle East spreading to the sea. That means, in a way, it is an extension of that war theatre. Which is already between Iran and America. In such a situation, linking this incident with India’s responsibility is neither correct according to international rules nor according to the ground reality.

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