INDIA'S MARITIME MOMENT: SHAPING HOLISTIC SECURITY IN THE INDO-PACIFIC

The challenge of capacity-building and capability-enhancement lies in the disparate priorities of multiple stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific. Initiatives that succeed in South Asia may not translate seamlessly to the Pacific islands or the African littorals.

- ADMIRAL KARAMBIR SINGH (RETD)

Representational photo: The Indian Navy's anti-submarine warfare corvette, INS Kadmatt, arrives at the port of Suva for its three-day goodwill visit to Fiji, in Suva on September 16. (Indian Navy/ANI Photo)

(Indian Navy/ANI Photo)

As the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2025 convenes in New Delhi, it offers yet another opportunity to reflect on India's evolving maritime role and responsibilities in an era of profound strategic transformation. The Indian Navy today stands widely recognised as the First Responder and the Preferred Security Partner in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)-a reputation earned through trust, professionalism, and consistent engagement across the region. Yet, this Dialogue also reminds us that holistic maritime security extends well beyond the naval domain. It calls for the combined effort of governments, institutions, industry, and public stakeholders to create an enduring regional security architecture rooted in transparency and cooperation.

The Indo-Pacific has emerged as a strategic geography of consequence. Home to almost two-thirds of global trade and GDP, its seas are both the arteries of prosperity and the front lines of vulnerability. The region's security challenges-ranging from climate threats and illegal fishing to geopolitical competition and coercive practices-demand responses that are collective, not singular.