News Brief
US, Russia To Join Indian Navy’s Mega Maritime Events In 2026; China, Pakistan, Turkey Not Invited: Report
Carriers from the Indian navy, Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force and the US Navy sail in formation during exercise Malabar 2017. (US Navy/Twitter) (Representative Image)
Over 55 countries have confirmed participation in the Indian Navy’s grand maritime showcase to be held in Visakhapatnam in February 2026.
It will bring together three major international events, the International Fleet Review (IFR), Exercise MILAN, and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs, for the first time, The New Indian Express reported.
Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Navy Vice Chief, announced that both the United States and Russia have confirmed participation. “They would be sending their ships, and some aircraft are also expected,” he said, adding that “a very large number of navies are also participating through high-level delegations. These numbers will change as confirmations are still coming in.”
Officials later confirmed that China, Pakistan, and Turkey have not been invited.
Turkey’s exclusion, according to The New Indian Express report, follows its recent support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.
Earlier this week, Indian officials skipped the Turkish National Day reception at its embassy in New Delhi, a signal of diplomatic strain.
The Defence Ministry said the combined exercise and review would be guided by India’s maritime initiatives such as MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth across Regions), the Act East Policy, and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
A Presidential Fleet Review at sea will be the highlight of the event, featuring India’s latest indigenously built warships, including the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, Nilgiri-class frigates, and Arnala-class corvettes.
The 2026 convergence, the ministry noted, will transform a long-standing naval tradition into a platform for strategic cooperation, reinforcing India’s position as a leading maritime power in the Indo-Pacific.
