The Indian Navy will host the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2026 at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi from November 3 to 5, bringing together maritime experts, scientists, academicians, policymakers and other stakeholders from 18 countries to strengthen regional cooperation in science, technology and maritime affairs.
Organised in close association with the National Maritime Foundation (NMF), the Navy’s knowledge partner and principal organiser, the three-day conference will focus on the theme ‘Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific’.
The annual dialogue aims to translate India’s broader maritime vision into practical proposals to address shared regional challenges through research, technological innovation, information-sharing and institutional partnerships.
IPRD builds on 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 provides a framework for cooperation across seven interconnected maritime areas and supports India’s broader maritime vision of MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
FIVE THEMATIC SESSIONS TO ADDRESS MARITIME CHALLENGES:
The 2026 edition will feature five professional sessions covering key areas of maritime cooperation:
– Academic networks, research and human capital development.
– Maritime situational awareness and protection of critical maritime infrastructure.
– Oceanographic science and climate resilience.
– Collaborative approaches to ocean governance and maritime resilience.
– Transformative maritime technologies and their dual-use implications.
Discussions will examine practical opportunities for joint research, collaborative technology development, responsible ocean governance, scientific data access and stronger academic partnerships.
The conference will also address wider challenges, including climate change, maritime trade, vulnerabilities in supply and value chains, pressure on marine resources and threats to critical maritime infrastructure. The deliberations will emphasise the need for coordinated regional responses that combine technological capabilities with scientific knowledge and human resource development.
NAVAL LEADERS AND DIPLOMATS TO JOIN SPECIAL SESSIONS:
IPRD-2026 will feature two special sessions alongside its professional deliberations.
The session titled ‘Perspectives from the Flag Bridge’ will bring together former naval chiefs from India and Sri Lanka to discuss ways to strengthen the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), particularly through scientific collaboration, technological cooperation and academic engagement across the Indian Ocean region.
Another special session, ‘Sahyog Ka Samvaad’, will provide a platform for ambassadorial interaction and dialogue on regional cooperation.
The second day of the conference will include two ministerial sessions. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to deliver the commemorative address, while Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, will deliver a special address.
TOWARDS A MORE RESILIENT INDO-PACIFIC:
With participation from 18 countries, IPRD-2026 is designed to promote solution-oriented discussions and identify actionable measures at national, sub-regional and regional levels.
The outcomes are intended to support further engagement through existing bilateral, trilateral and multilateral mechanisms, strengthening cooperation and mutual understanding across the Indo-Pacific.
Through this initiative, the Indian Navy seeks to advance maritime partnerships that harness scientific research, emerging technologies and academic networks to address common challenges and contribute to a secure, stable and resilient maritime environment.
