The Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2026 (IPRD-2026), organized by the Indian Navy and the National Maritime Foundation, examines 'Science, Technology, and Academic Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific'.
The Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2026 (IPRD-2026), the Indian Navy’s annual apex-level international strategic dialogue, commenced at New Delhi on November 3, 2026. Organized in association with the National Maritime Foundation (NMF), the Navy’s knowledge partner, the conference is focusing on ‘Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific’. The opening day of IPRD-2026 established the central question of the dialogue: ‘How the Indo-Pacific can turn scientific knowledge and technological innovation into enduring institutional cooperation, stronger maritime capabilities, and shared regional resilience.’
The proceedings began with the Inaugural Address by Adm Dinesh K Tripathi (Retd), Chairman NMF, and former Chief of the Naval Staff. This was followed by a Special Address by VAdm Biswajit Dasgupta (Retd), National Maritime Security Coordinator, Govt of India.
The first session of IPRD-2026 focused upon the theme, ‘Academic Networks, Research, and Human Capital Development’. This session was moderated by VAdm Sanjay Mahindru (Retd), former Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, and featured perspectives from France, Indonesia, Japan, and Maldives. The session explored the potential for a wider Indian Ocean academic network, including cooperation among universities in Indo-Pacific coastal cities, and examined social-science research networks in the Indian Ocean. The session also explored closer links among think tanks, universities, and governments.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
