IPRD 2026: Indian Navy Leads Strategic Push for Indo-Pacific Maritime Tech
The Indian Navy kicks off IPRD-2026 in New Delhi, focusing on science, technology, and maritime cooperation to strengthen regional resilience.
The Indian Navy has officially kicked off the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2026 (IPRD-2026) in New Delhi, marking the start of a high-stakes three-day international strategic conference. This annual gathering brings together a powerhouse of maritime experts and representatives from partner nations to chart a course for enhanced science, technology, and academic cooperation across the Indo-Pacific region.
Organized in collaboration with the National Maritime Foundation (NMF), the Navy's designated knowledge partner, this year's dialogue is centered on the theme: ‘Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific’. The primary objective is to transform scientific breakthroughs and institutional ties into tangible, practical cooperation to bolster regional resilience and maritime capabilities.
Setting the Stage for Strategic Cooperation
The event opened with a strong strategic tone, featuring an inaugural address by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi (Retd), former Chief of the Naval Staff and current Chairman of the NMF. Adding further depth to the opening proceedings, Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta (Retd), the National Maritime Security Coordinator, delivered a special address highlighting the critical nature of regional security.
Building Academic Bridges and Human Capital
One of the cornerstone discussions of the first day focused on ‘Academic Networks, Research, and Human Capital Development’. Moderated by former Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahindru (Retd), this session saw active contributions from Japan, France, Indonesia, and the Maldives.
Key points of discussion included:
- Oceanic Academic Networks: The possibility of creating a vast network of universities located in Indo-Pacific coastal cities.
- Research Synergy: Strengthening social-science research networks specifically tailored to the Indian Ocean region.
- Institutional Ties: Creating a tighter loop of collaboration between national governments, universities, and think tanks.
As a highlight of this session, a monograph titled ‘Sea Blindness and Maritime Heritage in India’ was officially released, shedding light on India's historical and contemporary relationship with the sea.
Securing the Deep: Infrastructure and Awareness
The dialogue then shifted toward the more technical and security-oriented aspects of maritime operations in a session titled ‘Maritime Situational Awareness and Protection of Critical Maritime Infrastructure’. Moderated by Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti (Retd), the discussion tackled the pressing need to protect seaborne trade and safeguard critical undersea infrastructure.
The session delved into the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA), examining the hurdles and opportunities regarding information-sharing and the creation of a cooperative architecture for underwater domain awareness. Additionally, the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) provided perspectives on how nations can collectively protect vital maritime infrastructure from emerging threats.
Diplomatic Engagement and Policy Outcomes
Beyond the professional sessions, the day featured ‘Sahyog Ka Samvaad’, a specialized interaction with key diplomats. Hosted by Vice Admiral Pradeep Chauhan (Retd), Director-General of the NMF, the session included:
- Mahishini Colonne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka.
- Josel F Ignacio, Ambassador of the Philippines.
- May-Elin Stener, Ambassador of Norway.
The first day of IPRD-2026 concluded with an active exchange between the speakers and the audience, resulting in several actionable policy recommendations. These suggestions focused on enhancing knowledge-sharing through academic partnerships and leveraging science and technology to coordinate responses to climate-related risks and oceanographic challenges.