Indian Navy to Host International Fleet Review 2026 in Visakhapatnam

Context:

• The Indian Navy will host the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 at Visakhapatnam in February 2026, marking a major milestone in India’s maritime diplomacy and naval outreach.

• The event coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Republic of India, underscoring India’s growing maritime role amid evolving regional security challenges.

Key Highlights:

About International Fleet Review 2026

• The IFR will be organised under the themes “United through Oceans” and “Bridges of Friendship”, reflecting India’s emphasis on cooperation and collective maritime security.

• India last hosted an International Fleet Review in 2001, commemorating 50 years of the Republic.

Strategic and Diplomatic Significance

• The IFR serves as a platform for naval diplomacy, enabling interaction among global navies through fleet displays, professional exchanges, and confidence-building measures.

• It strengthens India’s image as a responsible maritime power and a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Maritime Challenges and Multilateralism

• The maritime domain has become central to India’s foreign policy due to emerging threats such as:

  • Piracy

  • Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing

  • Climate change impacts on coastal security

• These transnational challenges necessitate multilateral approaches and collective action.

India’s Naval Engagements and Capacity Building

• India is strengthening regional maritime capacities by:

  • Gifting naval platforms

  • Commissioning maritime infrastructure and training centres in countries like Vietnam, Mozambique, and Sri Lanka

• The Indian Navy participates in nearly 20 bilateral exercises and multiple multilateral engagements.

Exercises and Platforms of Engagement

• Bilateral Exercises:

  • SIMBEX (Singapore–India)

  • Varuna (India–France)

  • CORPAT (India–Indonesia/Thailand)

• Multilateral Engagements:

  • QUAD, MILAN, Malabar, Konkan

• Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS):

  • Launched in 2008

  • Platform for dialogue, coordination, and cooperative security planning

Humanitarian and Normative Role

• India’s naval diplomacy is reinforced by its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations across the Indo-Pacific.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s commitment to a rules-based international order and the need to reform outdated multilateral institutions.

Relevant Prelims Points:

• Event: International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026

• Host & Venue: Indian Navy, Visakhapatnam

• Themes: United through Oceans; Bridges of Friendship

• Previous IFR in India: 2001

• Related Platforms: IONS, QUAD, Malabar, MILAN

• Impact: Strengthened maritime cooperation and naval diplomacy.

Relevant Mains Points:

• Key Concepts:

  • International Fleet Review: Multinational naval interaction and confidence-building event

  • Naval Diplomacy: Use of naval power for diplomatic engagement

  • Multilateralism: Collective action to address shared maritime challenges

• International Relations (GS II):

  • India’s maritime outreach and regional leadership

  • Strengthening Indo-Pacific partnerships

• Internal Security (GS III):

  • Maritime security, sea lane protection, regional stability

• Way Forward:

  • Institutionalising maritime cooperation frameworks

  • Enhancing interoperability among navies

  • Leveraging IFR for long-term security partnerships

UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):

• GS II: International Relations, maritime diplomacy

• GS III: Internal Security, maritime security, naval preparedness

• Prelims: IFR, IONS, naval exercises, HADR