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India is keeping a close watch on every Chinese vessel entering the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), with the Navy tracking their movements and activities in real time, Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan said on Friday.
“At any given point in time, there are a minimum of 40 and sometimes over 50 foreign ships operating in the Indian Ocean. We are monitoring each and every one of them, naval ships or research vessels, and are fully aware of what they are doing, when they come in, and when they leave,” Vatsayan said.
He was speaking at a press briefing in New Delhi ahead of the International Fleet Review (IFR) and Milan 2026 maritime exercises scheduled to be held in Visakhapatnam in February 2026.The Vice Admiral noted that the Indian Ocean has seen an increasing presence of extra-regional powers, particularly China, and that India remains vigilant to both traditional and non-traditional challenges such as piracy, human trafficking, and drug smuggling.
“The Indian Ocean remains the main route for global trade and oil transport. We are ready to meet any contingency,” he affirmed.
Operation Sindoor Still On
Vatsayan confirmed that Operation Sindoor, India’s ongoing maritime readiness and surveillance initiative, remains active.
“We are in Operation Sindoor, and the operation has not been shut down or closed. We are effectively deployed based on threat assessments and remain ready to take on any eventuality,” he said.
“The message to be conveyed with our ongoing exercises with foreign countries is that our plans are in place without any hindrance. We are currently deployed as part of Operation Sindoor, and we will remain so in the future. It is ongoing, and we are also going forward with our military plans. That is a very simple message that we are looking at,” he added.
US and Russia to Join India’s Mega Maritime Exercises
Vice Admiral Vatsayan confirmed that both the United States and Russia have committed to participating in the upcoming International Fleet Review and Milan exercise.
“They would be sending their ships, and some aircraft are also expected,” he said.
So far, 55 countries have expressed willingness to participate in the Indian Navy’s three concurrent international engagements in 2026. “Many navies will be represented through high-level delegations in addition to their ships. The final number may vary as confirmations continue to come in over the next few months,” the Vice Admiral added.
He stated that the Navy would continue to strengthen regional and global partnerships through these engagements, thereby promoting maritime cooperation and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Showcasing India’s Indigenous Strength
President Droupadi Murmu will review the fleet during IFR 2026, which will feature a large number of indigenously built warships – a display of India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The event, themed “United Through Oceans,” will underscore Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that oceans “connect rather than divide nations.” The concurrent Milan 2026 exercise will focus on “Camaraderie, Cooperation, and Collaboration,” with harbour and sea phases scheduled from February 19 to 25, 2026.
“Through IFR and Milan, India seeks to promote maritime security and cooperation by conducting joint exercises, professional exchanges, and dialogue among navies,” Vatsayan said.
A Legacy of Naval Diplomacy
Fleet reviews in India trace their roots to the 18th-century Maratha Navy. The first Presidential Fleet Review was held in 1953 under President Rajendra Prasad, evolving over time into a global maritime event. The previous IFRs were held in 2001 (Mumbai) and 2016 (Visakhapatnam).
Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs
The IONS Conclave of Chiefs will take place during which the Indian Navy will assume the Chairmanship for the second time, from 2025 to 2027. This event will gather naval chiefs from 25 member nations, along with nine observers and specially invited countries, to discuss maritime security, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and information sharing.
Expanding Fleet, Growing Capability
Vatsayan outlined the Navy’s steady modernisation drive, announcing that 10 ships and one submarine have already been inducted this year, with four more ships to join before December-end.
In 2026, 19 vessels are scheduled for induction, followed by 13 additional ships in 2027, signalling a sharp rise in India’s maritime capability and shipbuilding tempo.
With Operation Sindoor continuing and a record number of nations expected at IFR 2026, India’s message is clear—its maritime vigilance is constant, and its commitment to a secure Indo-Pacific unwavering.
Ravi Shankar
Dr Ravi Shankar has over two decades of experience in communications, print journalism, electronic media, documentary film making and new media.
He makes regular appearances on national television news channels as a commentator and analyst on current and political affairs. Apart from being an acknowledged Journalist, he has been a passionate newsroom manager bringing a wide range of journalistic experience from past associations with India’s leading media conglomerates (Times of India group and India Today group) and had led global news-gathering operations at world’s biggest multimedia news agency- ANI-Reuters. He has covered Parliament extensively over the past several years. Widely traveled, he has covered several summits as part of media delegation accompanying the Indian President, Vice President, Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and Finance Minister across Asia, Africa and Europe.
