India to host multi-nation naval exercises

In a move aimed at boosting defence cooperation with its eastern neighbours, India is hosting a multi-nation naval exercise off the Andaman coast from January 9. Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand have confirmed participation in the almost weeklong multi-nation exercises 'Milan-06', a naval spokesman said in New Delhi.

He said some

other Southeast Asian nations like Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and neighbouring Sri Lanka would also participate in the exercises in which the focus would be on disaster relief, EEZ patrols and interdiction at sea. The multi-nation exercises were slated to be held in January 2005, but were postponed because of the tsunami tragedy.