India will host the navies of both the US and Russia at the maritime exercise — Milan 2026 — at Vishakapatnam in February next year.

Vice Chief of the Navy Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan announced the week-long drills to be conducted from February 19 to February 26. "Both the US and Russia have confirmed their presence and will send ships for the exercise," the Vice Admiral said on Friday.

On being asked if Japan and Australia, both partners in the Quad with India and the US, will be part of it, Vice Admiral Vatsayan said both countries had confirmed their participation. There would be 55 countries in the event.

Regarding the exercise, Vice Admiral Vatsayan said, "This will be one of the largest maritime exercise in the region."

The naval exercise will have a harbour phase on February 19

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