Hans News Service Visakhapatnam

Bringingtogether senior leadership of the Indian Navy, including Operational and Area Commanders, for deliberations on operational preparedness, maritime security and future capability development, the second edition of ‘Naval Commanders’ Conference 2026’ commenced in New Delhi.

The conference began with an inaugural address by Adm Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of Naval Staff, who reviewed the prevailing maritime security environment and Indian Navy’s operational posture. He emphasised maintaining a high degree of combat readiness, agility and responsiveness while accelerating technology absorption and capability development to address contemporary and emerging challenges across the maritime domain.

Addressing Naval Commanders, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored India’s growing strategic responsibilities in the maritime domain and Indian Navy’s role as a first responder and preferred security partner in Indian Ocean Region. He stressed the need to strengthen maritime surveillance, analytical capability and operational responsiveness.

Referring to the situation in West Asia, he highlighted the navy’s conduct of Operation ‘Urja Suraksha’ and its contribution to safeguarding India’s energy security. He also emphasised Aatma Nirbharta, indigenous capability development and technology absorption, underlining that secure seas are integral to a secure nation and a developed nation.

Gen NS Raja Subramani, Chief of Defence Staff, acknowledged Indian Navy as a strategic force multiplier and commended its sustained efforts towards technology absorption, Aatma Nirbharta and safeguarding India’s energy security. He highlighted the changing character of warfare and emphasised the need for accelerated technology transformation, seamless data sharing, enhanced resilience and sustenance.

Interacting with Naval Commanders, Gen Dhiraj Seth, Chief of Army Staff, shared perspectives on the contemporary security environment. The interaction focused on further strengthening tri-service synergy, interoperability and integrated responses to emerging security challenges. The discussions highlighted the need for closer coordination and continued exchange of operational lessons among the Services towards enhancing joint preparedness.

The engagements with the CDS and COAS provided an opportunity for the naval leadership to exchange perspectives on the evolving character of warfare, capability development and the increasing importance of integrated operations in addressing emerging security challenges. During the remaining sessions of the three-day conference, which started on September 29th, the naval leadership will deliberate in detail on operations, materiel, logistics, human resources, training, force development and induction of emerging technologies. Measures to optimise force levels, strengthen combat readiness and accelerate capability development will also be reviewed.