(a) whether a multi-nation naval exercise named Milan-2010 was held in the recent past;
(b) if so, the details thereof including the countries and their warships which
participated in the event; and
(c) the objectives of the exercise and the extent to which the same was achieved?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE(SHRI A.K. ANTONY)
(a) to (c): The multi-nation biennial naval meet, Milan, has been held at Port Blair
during February, 2010, involving the navies of twelve countries of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The primary purpose of Milan is to promote regional cooperation and mutual
understanding of maritime issues of common concern. The swift response of Indian Navy for
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief after the Tsunami in December, 2004, in Indonesia
and Sri Lanka,was facilitated partly because of the cooperative linkages established through
Milan.