This week, India is showcasing its naval power through various exercises and public demonstrations, underscoring its military aspirations both at home and internationally. The International Fleet Review (IFR) involves the review of the Indian fleet alongside other invited navies, featuring a display of corvettes, frigates, various support vessels, and the operational aircraft carriers, including the flagship INS Vikrant. This event highlights India's focus on strengthening its maritime capabilities amidst a complex geopolitical landscape.

The military event took place in Visakhapatnam, home to the Eastern Naval Command and coincided with an artificial intelligence summit and a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil in New Delhi. This alignment of military exhibition and diplomatic engagements signifies India's strategic interests in enhancing its naval presence while fostering international relations, particularly with significant partners such as Brazil.

Journalists from Folha were part of a delegation that observed the military exercise, gaining access to the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant during their visit to the coastal waters in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The Vikrant represents a key asset in India's naval modernization efforts, exemplifying the nation's ambition to establish a more prominent role in regional security dynamics and international maritime affairs.