The forthcoming Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) will be held in New Delhi from November 15 to 17, 2023, and it is an influential international conference organized by the Indian Navy. This event follows the recently concluded Goa Maritime Conclave 2023, held from October 29-31, 2023, signifying the Navy’s strategic engagement at different operational levels.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will deliver the keynote address on November 15, followed by special addresses by senior ministers and government officials.
The Goa Maritime Conclave primarily serves as a forum for Chiefs-of-Navy and Heads of Maritime Agencies in the Indian Ocean Region, emphasizing cooperative engagement at the strategic-operational level. In contrast, the IPRD takes on a broader role, addressing ‘holistic’ maritime security issues across the expansive Indo-Pacific region.
The IPRD has evolved over the years, with the first two editions held in New Delhi in 2018 and 2019. The 2020 edition was cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak, while the third edition took place virtually in 2021. The fourth edition marked a return to a physical format in New Delhi in 2022.
The National Maritime Foundation (NMF), as the Indian Navy’s knowledge partner and chief organizer, plays a pivotal role in orchestrating each edition of the IPRD. This collaborative effort aims to review various maritime trends, opportunities, and challenges within the Indo-Pacific, fostering solution-oriented dialogues among key stakeholders.
IPRD-2023’s theme is “Geopolitical Impacts upon Indo-Pacific Maritime Trade and Connectivity.” It builds on the previous edition’s focus on the ‘Operationalizing the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)’ and addresses ‘Trade, Connectivity, and Maritime Transport.’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized “responsible maritime connectivity” during the UNSC high-level open debate on “Enhancing Maritime Security: A Case for International Cooperation” on August 9, 2021. IPRD-2023 explores how geopolitical disturbances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating tensions globally, affect trade and connectivity through six professional sessions over three days.
These sessions include discussions on Nodes of Maritime Connectivity, China’s Impact on Maritime Connectivity across the Indo-Pacific, Maritime Connectivity through Shipping and Trade, the role of Private Industry in Indo-Pacific Maritime Trade and Shipping Safety, and the imperative of Maintaining a Rules-based, Safe, and Secure Indo-Pacific.
IPRD-2023 will facilitate the participation of subject-matter experts, speakers, and representatives from 16 countries, offering diverse regional perspectives.
