The Ministry of Defence has concluded a three-day simulation exercise as part of the Colombo Security Conclave, a regional maritime security partnership. The drill took place at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam between 9 and 12 September 2026. It brought together naval and maritime security officials from member nations and observer countries to practise coordinated responses to ocean-based crimes across the Indian Ocean.
What the exercise covered
The simulation ran for more than 72 hours and focused on how participating nations could work together to tackle illicit activities at sea. The scenarios tested during the exercise included:
- Maritime terrorism
- Drug smuggling by sea
- Human trafficking
- Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
Rear Admiral Manoj Jha, Chief Staff Officer (Operations) at Eastern Naval Command, opened the exercise with remarks on creating unified approaches to stop unauthorised maritime activity in the Indian Ocean region.
During the exercise, participating nations reviewed and refined their existing Standard Operating Procedures, which are the agreed steps they follow during joint operations. They also worked on improving how they share information with each other so that all countries have a clearer picture of what is happening in their shared waters, known as Maritime Domain Awareness.
What this means for you
This exercise strengthens cooperation between India and neighbouring maritime nations to keep the Indian Ocean safer and more secure. Better coordination helps prevent smuggling, trafficking and illegal fishing, which can affect trade routes, local fishing communities and regional stability. The drill also advances India’s broader regional vision known as MAHASAGAR, which seeks mutual advancement and growth across the region through shared security efforts.