Indian naval ships off the UK coast during Exercise Konkan with the Royal Navy. (Image credit: Indian Navy)
The Indian Navy will host the 2026 edition of the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) in New Delhi from November 3rd to 5th, bringing together naval leaders, policymakers, scientists and maritime experts from 18 countries to discuss cooperation in maritime technology, ocean research and regional security.The three-day dialogue, organised in association with the National Maritime Foundation (NMF), will focus on the theme ‘Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific’. Defence minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to deliver the commemorative address on the opening day.The annual conference is the Navy’s principal international strategic outreach initiative and seeks to translate India’s broader maritime cooperation framework into practical proposals.
Its discussions are linked to the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 14th East Asia Summit in Bangkok in November 2019. The initiative identifies seven interconnected areas of maritime cooperation, while India’s MAHASAGAR vision — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — emphasises security and sustainable development across the wider maritime neighbourhood.
The focus on science and technology comes amid growing concerns over climate change, vulnerabilities in maritime supply chains, pressure on marine resources and threats to critical maritime infrastructure. These challenges increasingly extend beyond national jurisdictions, requiring countries to share information, develop scientific expertise and coordinate responses. The dialogue will examine how regional partners can strengthen cooperation in these areas, including through joint research, technology development and greater access to scientific data.The programme will feature five professional sessions covering academic networks and human capital development; maritime situational awareness and the protection of critical maritime infrastructure; oceanographic science and climate resilience; collaborative approaches to ocean governance and maritime resilience; and emerging maritime technologies and their dual-use implications.The discussions will extend beyond conventional science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines to include the social sciences, life sciences and humanities.
The approach recognises that maritime security and ocean governance involve not only technological capabilities but also questions of policy, institutional cooperation, environmental management and the social and economic impact of decisions affecting the seas.The opening day will include a special session titled ‘Perspectives from the Flag Bridge’, bringing together former naval chiefs from India and Sri Lanka.
Another special interaction, ‘Sahyog Ka Samvaad’, will provide a platform for ambassadorial perspectives on maritime cooperation. The programme will also feature ministerial and other special addresses, alongside contributions from maritime practitioners, scientists, academics, policymakers and experts.The Navy intends the dialogue to identify specific measures that can be pursued through existing bilateral, trilateral and multilateral mechanisms. The proposals are expected to cover cooperation at national, sub-regional and wider Indo-Pacific levels, with an emphasis on practical outcomes rather than discussions alone. The conference will therefore provide a platform for regional partners to explore how shared research, scientific expertise and technology partnerships can contribute to maritime security, resilience and sustainable ocean governance.