In a move aimed at boosting defence cooperation with its eastern neighbors, India is hosting a multi- nation naval exercise off the Andaman coast from January 9 next year.
Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmmar, Bangladesh, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand have confirmed participation in the almost week-long multi-nation exercise dubbed `Milan-06', a naval spokesman said here.
He said some other Southeast Asian nations like Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and neighboring Sri Lanka will also participate in the exercises in which the focus would be on diasater relief, EEZ patrols and interdiction at sea.
The upcoming multi-nation exercises were slated to be held in January this year but were postponed because of the tsunami tragedy. |