Inside Milan 2026: Indian Navy’s grand cultural showcase wows global navies

The ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, who formally opened the village for participating navies and toured the facilities designed to foster global maritime engagement.

Conceptualised as an immersive experience zone, the Milan Village brings together delegates and naval personnel from over 70 countries in an atmosphere of camaraderie and friendship. It serves as a vibrant hub for social and cultural exchange, encouraging interactions that extend beyond professional engagements.

A key highlight of the Milan Village is its strong emphasis on cultural exchange, offering delegates a rich and immersive glimpse into India’s diverse heritage and traditions. The village will host live performances by vocal artists, traditional folk dance troupes, and cultural ensembles showcasing the country’s vibrant artistic legacy.

The venue also features a range of stalls offering naval souvenirs, handicrafts, and handloom products, highlighting craftsmanship from across India. Visitors can savour an array of Indian cuisine, presenting diverse regional flavours and culinary traditions.

In his address, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief noted, “Milan Village reflects the spirit of camaraderie and cultural connect that complements professional naval engagement. As Visakhapatnam hosts IFR, MILAN and IONS in close succession, this convergence marks a significant moment in India’s maritime outreach and cooperative engagement with partner navies.”

Exercise MILAN 2026, scheduled to be held in Visakhapatnam from February 15 to 25, will serve as a key pillar of India’s historic maritime convergence, alongside the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 and the IONS Conclave of Chiefs. As one of the largest multilateral naval exercises in the Indo-Pacific, MILAN 2026 will bring together navies from across the globe to enhance interoperability, strengthen maritime domain awareness, and bolster collective response capabilities.

The Harbour and Sea Phases of the exercise will focus on complex maritime operations, including anti-submarine warfare, air defence, search and rescue, and cooperative security missions, reinforcing a shared commitment to free, open, inclusive and rules-based seas.

Milan 2026 represents a significant operational expression of the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s MAHASAGAR vision, reaffirming India’s role as a preferred security partner and a responsible stakeholder in the global maritime commons.

As the cultural centrepiece of MILAN 2026, the Milan Village embodies the theme “Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration,” symbolising the shared commitment of participating navies to deepen cultural ties, build enduring friendships, and strengthen collective maritime partnerships.