The Indian Navy teamed up with Japan and Indonesia for a trilateral exercise in the Andaman Sea on February 13, 2026. The goal was to improve joint readiness, work better together, and strengthen maritime safety. In a social media post, the Indian Navy said, "Ships from the navies of India, Japan and Indonesia undertook a trilateral exercise in the Andaman Sea on 13 Feb 26, enhancing combined operational readiness, interoperability and reinforcing maritime cooperation towards a safe, secure and stable region." This exercise highlights the growing partnership among these navies. A day before, on February 12, the Indian Navy took command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 154. This multinational training force is part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) working to boost security in the Middle East and beyond. The change of command happened on February 11, 2026, in Manama, Bahrain. Vice Admiral Curt A. Renshaw, U.S. Navy, led the ceremony with Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff from India, and other top military leaders present. Commander Milind M. Mokashi of the Indian Navy then took charge of CTF 154 from the outgoing Italian Navy Commander. CTF 154 focuses on training and building skills for CMF member nations. It started in May 2023 and runs programs to fight threats like piracy, illegal trafficking, and migration. CTF 154 works alongside other CMF task forces to keep seas safe. This leadership shows trust in India’s expertise and its important role as a security partner among the 47 CMF nations. Through regular training and exercises, the task force helps build stronger partnerships and safer waters across key regions.