COOPERATION PROTECTS INDO-PACIFIC WATERS, TRADE ROUTES AND COASTAL COMMUNITIES

Cooperation in the region consists of three layers. The conceptual layer defines aims and ethical principles; the political layer convenes stakeholders and aligns mandates; and the executive layer effectively implements actions at sea.

- SRUTHYLACSHMI B. BHAT

The Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2025 (IPRD 2025), scheduled to take place at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi from October 28 to 30, will convene senior officials, naval leaders, diplomats, scholars, and industry experts from across the region to discuss practical ways of making the Indo-Pacific safer and more prosperous.

Hosted by the Indian Navy in partnership with the National Maritime Foundation, this apex-level international conference marks another important milestone in India's commitment to advancing maritime cooperation. The theme for this year, “Promoting Holistic Maritime Security and Growth: Regional Capacity-Building and Capability-Enhancement,” reflects the need to move beyond abstract dialogue and towards concrete, implementable cooperation aimed at strengthening both physical and human dimensions of maritime security.

Capacity building relates to the tangible side of maritime governance, including developing and upgrading ports, surveillance platforms, infrastructure, and communications systems. Meanwhile, capability enhancement pertains to the human and organizational competencies necessary for effective maritime operations—encompassing training, exercises, protocols, and inter-agency coordination. Emphasizing both together addresses the challenges posed by intensified geopolitical competition, recent disruptions in global supply chains, and escalating climate risks affecting coasts, ports, and shipping lanes. The underlying premise of PRD 2025 remains clear and consistent with past editions: security and growth go hand in hand and require strong, capable, and collaborative institutions.