In photos: 10 occasions Indian Navy made a splash in worldwide waters with bilateral, multilateral workout routines

The not too long ago concluded AMAN 2025 naval train, hosted by Pakistan from February 7 to 11, 2025, noticed participation from over 60 nations, together with a big contingent from China’s Folks’s Liberation Military Navy (PLAN).

Whereas AMAN 2025 was promoted as a platform for “multinational maritime cooperation”, Beijing’s involvement solely went to point out the way it served as a conduit for China’s broader regional ambitions.

In distinction, the Indian Navy has established a collection of multilateral and bilateral workout routines that target various worldwide collaboration and a dedication to a rules-based maritime order.

From workout routines similar to Malabar, involving america, Japan, and Australia, to Milan, which incorporates navies from Southeast Asia and past, right here’s a take a look at 10 occasions the Indian Navy made a splash in international waters:

Malabar: Malabar is an annual naval train involving India, america, and Japan as everlasting companions, with Australia becoming a member of in 2020. It started in 1992 as a bilateral train between India and the US.

The train contains various actions similar to fighter fight operations, maritime interdiction, anti-submarine warfare, and counter-piracy operations. It has been carried out in numerous places together with the Philippine Sea, Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea. The most recent version passed off in October 2024 in Visakhapatnam.

Varuna: Varuna is a bilateral naval train between India and France. It was initiated in 1993 and christened “Varuna” in 2001. The train is carried out yearly and has turn into an emblem of the India-France strategic bilateral relationship.

The twenty first version passed off in January 2023, that includes superior air protection workout routines, tactical maneuvers, floor firings, and different maritime operations.

SIMBEX: The Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Train (SIMBEX) is an annual train carried out by the Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy since 1994. It’s thought-about the longest uninterrupted naval train India has with any nation.

SIMBEX goals to reinforce interoperability and mutual understanding between the 2 navies. The thirty first version of SIMBEX is scheduled from 23 to 29 Oct 2024, within the Jap Naval Command at Visakhapatnam.

SITMEX: The Singapore-India-Thailand Maritime Train (SITMEX) is a trilateral naval train. The third version was held in November 2021 within the Andaman Sea. It contains tactical coaching drills similar to naval maneuvers and floor warfare workout routines.

SLINEX: This can be a bilateral naval train between India and Sri Lanka. The most recent version, SLINEX 24, was held from December 17-20, 2024, in Visakhapatnam. The train consists of two phases: a Harbor Section and a Sea Section. It includes actions similar to joint workout routines by Particular Forces, gun firings, communication procedures, and helicopter operations.

AUSINDEX: AUSINDEX is a bilateral maritime train between India and Australia. The fifth version, AUSINDEX-23, was carried out from August 22-25, 2023, in Sydney, Australia.

fifth Ed of 🇮🇳-🇦🇺 biennial bilateral train #AUSINDEX concl off Sydney #25Aug.
Advanced tactical workout routines incl antisurface, anti air & anti submarine Warfare drills carried out
Cross deck ops of MH60R helos undertaken in the direction of crew trg & enhancing interoperability.@Australian_Navy pic.twitter.com/AR8SYYncBo

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 26, 2023

JIMEX: This can be a bilateral maritime train between India and Japan. Held yearly since 2012, JIMEX focuses on enhancing cooperation and interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Pressure (JMSDF). The eighth version, JIMEX-24, commenced on June 11, 2024, at Yokosuka, Japan.

#INSShivalik mission deployed to #SouthChinaSea & #PacificOcean, departed Singapore #30May 24.
Skilled & social interactions, & cross deck visits undertaken.

Subsequent up JIMEX 24 & RIMPAC 24#Interoperability@HCI_Singapore @mindefsg @jmsdf_pao_eng @USNavy… pic.twitter.com/LTHOq1ahYo

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) June 1, 2024

Bongosagar: Bongosagar is a bilateral naval train between India and Bangladesh. The fourth version, Bongosagar-23, was carried out from November 7-9, 2023, within the northern Bay of Bengal.

Milan: Milan is a multinational naval train hosted by India. The twelfth version of Milan commenced on February 19, 2024, in Visakhapatnam, with participation from round 50 navies of pleasant nations. This nine-day train featured difficult drills similar to superior air defence, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface operations. Milan goals to strengthen regional cooperation and foster interoperability amongst taking part navies.

Naseem al-Bahr: This bilateral naval train between India and Oman was final carried out from October 13-18, 2024, off the coast of Goa. It concerned the Indian Navy’s INS Trikand and Dornier Maritime Patrol Plane, alongside the Royal Navy of Oman’s vessel Al Seeb.

With inputs from businesses