Goa Maritime Conclave 2026 Strengthens IOR Security

RR Team

14 hours ago

The 5th edition of the Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC-26) was held at the Naval War College, Goa, on 21 February 2026, bringing together naval chiefs and senior maritime leaders from 15 Indian Ocean Region (IOR) nations. The conclave reinforced the shared commitment of regional partners to enhance cooperative mechanisms addressing common maritime security challenges.

Organized by the Indian Navy under the theme, “Common Maritime Security Challenges in the IOR – Progressing Lines of Efforts to Mitigate Dynamic Threats,” GMC-26 highlighted India’s role as a convener of structured maritime dialogue and as an enabler of collaborative security architecture in the region. The conclave aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), providing a platform for actionable discussions and joint implementation frameworks.

Keynote Insights and Regional Coordination

Admiral Arun Prakash (Retd), former Chief of Naval Staff, emphasized the need for synchronized regional responses anchored in real-time information sharing, institutional coordination, and sustained capacity development. He stressed that combating challenges like Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, trafficking networks, and transnational maritime crimes requires collective ownership and shared responsibility among IOR nations.

The first session, moderated by Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar (Retd), focused on strengthening mechanisms for real-time maritime information exchange and operational coordination. Speakers, including Rear Admiral TVN Prasanna (Indian Navy) and Colonel Amanulla Ahmed Rasheed (Maldives), highlighted the importance of interoperability, structured institutional linkages, and rapid coordinated responses to transnational maritime threats.

Collaborative Capacity Building

The second session examined pathways for regional capacity building and capability enhancement. Rear Admiral Srinivas Maddula and Captain (IN) Ranendra S Sawan, Senior Fellow at the National Maritime Foundation, shared insights on pooling regional training resources, expanding professional exchange programs, and strengthening institutional frameworks. Admiral Karambir Singh (Retd), former Chief of Naval Staff, moderated this session, reinforcing that sustainable maritime stability in the IOR relies on coordinated capability development and structured cooperation.

Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

The conclave concluded with addresses from Chiefs of Navies and Heads of Delegations, articulating national perspectives on advancing collaborative Lines of Effort to mitigate dynamic maritime threats. Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, CNS, appreciated all partner nations for their continued commitment and underscored the need to move from shared awareness to coordinated action through technology, seamless information sharing, and focused operations under the MAHASAGAR framework.

The deliberations reflected strong convergence on strengthening regional maritime partnerships, institutionalizing cooperation mechanisms, and enhancing collective capacity. GMC-26 reaffirmed India’s commitment to fostering inclusive, consultative, and action-oriented maritime cooperation in the IOR, promoting safe, secure, and stable seas through structured collaboration and real-time information exchange.