NEW DELHI – India’s history has been defined by the sea. Long before modern technology, Indian sailors crossed the Indian Ocean, connecting ports, people, and cultures. The recent International Fleet Review (IFR), MILAN, and Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) in Visakhapatnam from 15 to 25 February highlight how this naval tradition now informs India’s naval diplomacy.
This deep-rooted maritime history is evident in ancient landmarks such as the Lothal dockyard. Built during the Indus Valley civilisation around 2400 BCE, it is considered one of the world’s earliest tidal dockyards. Its elaborate design indicates that organised shipbuilding and maritime trade existed along the Indian coast in ancient times.
Building on these ancient foundations, centuries later, sailors from the Indian subcontinent crossed the Bay of Bengal to Southeast Asia. Traders, monks, and craftsmen regularly traveled to present-day Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam. They brought not only spices and textiles but also ideas, religious traditions, and artistic influences that shaped regional cultures.
This tradition of maritime enterprise continued with the Chola Empire, whose achievements are especially notable. In the 10th and 11th centuries, the Cholas built a strong navy that projected influence across the Bay of Bengal. In 1025 CE, Rajendra Chola I led a naval expedition against the Srivijaya empire in Southeast Asia, demonstrating India’s capacity for long-distance naval operations.
India’s enduring engagement with the sea was shaped by its coastline of over 7,500 kilometres, its island territories, and its shipbuilding tradition, all of which fostered a culture that valued the sea for commerce, security, and connectivity.
Following independence in 1947, India built on this maritime legacy through the Indian Navy. From a modest fleet, it has grown into a capable blue-water navy. Today, it operates aircraft carriers, submarines, and sophisticated surveillance systems, retaining a strong presence across the Indian Ocean.
Extending beyond its military evolution, the Indian Navy now helps sustain stability at sea. India is active in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), anti-piracy patrols, maritime security, and joint exercises with partner countries.
This multifaceted commitment was evident during the recent IFR, MILAN, and IONS events, each highlighting a dimension of India’s engagement in the region.
At the International Fleet Review, naval professionalism and partnership took center stage as ships and delegations from many countries gathered in Indian waters. MILAN focused on operations, as navies conducted drills and coordinated exercises to boost cooperation. Through IONS, naval leaders held strategic discussions on regional security, disaster response, and the protection of critical sea lanes.
Amid these efforts, today’s oceans confront challenges such as illegal fishing, smuggling, piracy, climate-related disasters, and rising geopolitical tensions. Addressing these issues requires international cooperation, and India’s efforts to unite maritime partners represent an important step toward regional peace.
Small island nations in the Indian Ocean often see India as a reliable partner. Indian naval ships are frequently among the first to respond to cyclones, deliver medical aid, or provide emergency supplies during crises.
India’s maritime story continues to evolve. From ancient ports like Lothal and the Chola voyages to today’s gatherings such as IFR, MILAN, and IONS, one theme endures: the ocean is a shared space that connects nations.
As global attention turns to the Indo-Pacific, India’s geography, experience, and naval traditions place it at the center of regional discussions. The recent naval engagements mark another step in a voyage that began centuries ago, when Indian sailors first ventured into the Indian Ocean, connecting the past with the present.
Ashu Mann
Ashu Mann is an Associate Fellow at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies. He was awarded the Vice Chief of the Army Staff Commendation card on Army Day 2025. He is pursuing a PhD in Defence and Strategic Studies. His research focuses include India-China territorial dispute, great power rivalry, and Chinese foreign policy.
