Opening Addresses Highlight Regional Collaboration
The seminar commenced with a keynote by Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, who emphasised the importance of trust-based partnerships and collaborative frameworks to tackle evolving maritime threats. Additional insights were provided by Mr. Sushil Mansing Khopde, IPS, Additional Director General, Directorate General of Shipping, highlighting India’s initiatives in strengthening regional maritime security and regulatory alignment.
Focused Deliberations on Maritime Challenges
Over two days, delegates engaged in intensive discussions on regional security dynamics, information networks, operational coordination, maritime law, industry perspectives, and transnational maritime crime. Sessions underscored technological integration, data interoperability, and collective commitment as essential for building a resilient maritime security framework.
Table-Top Exercise Using MANTRA Software
The final day, 5th November 2025, featured a Table-Top Exercise (TTX) conducted on the indigenously developed Maritime Analytical Tool for Regional Awareness (MANTRA) software. Delegates responded to simulated maritime scenarios including piracy, drug smuggling, irregular human migration, and distress-at-sea incidents. The exercise aimed to refine real-time information sharing, multi-agency coordination, and synchronised response planning across the Indian Ocean Region.
Expert Insights and Regional Cooperation
Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna, CS NCO, concluded the seminar stressing the need for synergy among regional information-sharing frameworks. He reinforced that continuous dialogue and cooperation are key to maintaining a safe and secure maritime domain, highlighting India’s role as a regional leader in fostering maritime security collaboration.
Building a Cohesive Maritime Security Ecosystem
The MISW-25 demonstrated India’s commitment to creating a robust, technology-driven, and collaborative maritime security ecosystem. By bringing together stakeholders from multiple nations and leveraging indigenous tools like MANTRA, the workshop exemplified how strategic partnerships and practical exercises can strengthen collective maritime resilience in the Indian Ocean Region.
