US and Russia to Participate in India’s International Fleet Review and Milan Exercise: Navy Vice Chief

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi: Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, on Friday announced that both the United States and Russia have confirmed their participation in India’s upcoming International Fleet Review (IFR) and Milan exercise, marking a rare convergence of major global navies at the same maritime platform.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Vice Admiral Vatsayan said India has invited a large number of nations to the events, and responses so far have been overwhelmingly positive. “We’ve invited a large number of nations, and so far, over 55 countries have expressed their willingness to participate in all three events,” he said.

He added that several navies are expected to send high-level delegations along with their ships, and in some cases, aircraft as well. “As of now, both the US and Russia have confirmed participation, indicating they will send ships and possibly aircraft, though details are still being finalised,” the Vice Admiral stated.