The Maldives has declined the Indian navy’s invitation for Milan, the nation’s biannual military exercise.
Indian news outlets reported on Tuesday that the Maldivian military had not provided a reason for declining the invitation.
“We have invited Maldives, but they declined it. They did not give any reasons but I think it is due to the current situation there,” Navy Chief Adm Sunil Lanba had said.
Milan, which was first held in 1995, will be held from 6th-13th March this year and 16 nations are confirmed to be participating. A total of 23 countries have been invited to the multilateral exercise.
Milan is specifically aimed at exercises for littoral nations held by the Indian navy’s Andaman and Nicobar Command, which manages India’s engagement with regional navies.
