Indian Navy to convene Indo‑Pacific Dialogue in Delhi this November

The Indian Navy will host the 2026 Indo‑Pacific Regional Dialogue in New Delhi from November 3 to 5, gathering experts and officials from 18 nations. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will open the three‑day meet with a commemorative address, and the event is organized with the National Maritime Foundation as the Navy’s knowledge partner. The dialogue’s theme is “Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation in the Indo‑Pacific,” aiming to turn the Indo‑Pacific Oceans Initiative launched in 2019 into concrete projects. Five thematic tracks will run, covering academic networking and skill‑building, maritime awareness and protection of key infrastructure, ocean science and climate resilience, joint ocean‑governance approaches, and emerging maritime technologies with dual‑use potential. Participants will discuss joint research, shared data, and stronger institutional links, while also looking beyond pure STEM fields to include social sciences, life sciences and humanities. A special “Perspectives from the Flag Bridge” session will feature former naval chiefs of India and Sri Lanka, followed by an ambassadorial talk titled “Sahyog Ka Samvaad.” The ministry’s release stresses that outcomes should be actionable at national, sub‑regional and pan‑regional levels, using existing bilateral, trilateral and plurilateral mechanisms. The conference aligns with India’s MAHASAGAR vision of mutual and holistic advancement across maritime regions.

Context

India’s push for deeper Indo‑Pacific ties reflects growing concerns over supply‑chain risks, strain on marine resources and threats to maritime infrastructure, prompting a shift from broad policy statements to targeted cooperation.