The recently concluded AMAN 2025 naval exercise, hosted by Pakistan from February 7 to 11, 2025, saw participation from over 60 countries, including a significant contingent from China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
While AMAN 2025 was promoted as a platform for “multinational maritime cooperation”, Beijing’s involvement only went to show how it served as a conduit for China’s broader regional ambitions.
In contrast, the Indian Navy has established a series of multilateral and bilateral exercises that focus on diverse international collaboration and a commitment to a rules-based maritime order.
From exercises such as Malabar, involving the United States, Japan, and Australia, to Milan, which includes navies from Southeast Asia and beyond, here’s a look at 10 times the Indian Navy made a splash in global waters:
Malabar: Malabar is an annual naval exercise involving India, the United States, and Japan as permanent partners, with Australia joining in 2020. It began in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the US.
The exercise includes diverse activities such as fighter combat operations, maritime interdiction, anti-submarine warfare, and counter-piracy operations. It has been conducted in various locations including the Philippine Sea, Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea. The latest edition took place in October 2024 in Visakhapatnam.
Varuna: Varuna is a bilateral naval exercise between India and France. It was initiated in 1993 and christened “Varuna” in 2001. The exercise is conducted annually and has become a symbol of the India-France strategic bilateral relationship.
The 21st edition took place in January 2023, featuring advanced air defense exercises, tactical maneuvers, surface firings, and other maritime operations.
SIMBEX: The Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) is an annual exercise conducted by the Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy since 1994. It is considered the longest uninterrupted naval exercise India has with any country.
SIMBEX aims to enhance interoperability and mutual understanding between the two navies. The 31st edition of SIMBEX is scheduled from 23 to 29 Oct 2024, in the Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam.
SITMEX: The Singapore-India-Thailand Maritime Exercise (SITMEX) is a trilateral naval exercise. The third edition was held in November 2021 in the Andaman Sea. It includes tactical training drills such as naval maneuvers and surface warfare exercises.
SLINEX: This is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka. The latest edition, SLINEX 24, was held from December 17-20, 2024, in Visakhapatnam. The exercise consists of two phases: a Harbor Phase and a Sea Phase. It involves activities such as joint exercises by Special Forces, gun firings, communication procedures, and helicopter operations.
AUSINDEX: AUSINDEX is a bilateral maritime exercise between India and Australia. The fifth edition, AUSINDEX-23, was conducted from August 22-25, 2023, in Sydney, Australia.
JIMEX: This is a bilateral maritime exercise between India and Japan. Held annually since 2012, JIMEX focuses on enhancing cooperation and interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF). The eighth edition, JIMEX-24, commenced on June 11, 2024, at Yokosuka, Japan.
Bongosagar: Bongosagar is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Bangladesh. The fourth edition, Bongosagar-23, was conducted from November 7-9, 2023, in the northern Bay of Bengal.
Milan: Milan is a multinational naval exercise hosted by India. The 12th edition of Milan commenced on February 19, 2024, in Visakhapatnam, with participation from around 50 navies of friendly countries. This nine-day exercise featured complicated drills such as advanced air defence, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface operations. Milan aims to strengthen regional cooperation and foster interoperability among participating navies.
Naseem al-Bahr: This bilateral naval exercise between India and Oman was last conducted from October 13-18, 2024, off the coast of Goa. It involved the Indian Navy’s INS Trikand and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, alongside the Royal Navy of Oman’s vessel Al Seeb.
With inputs from agencies
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