The Indian Navy is all set to hold the first edition of the Naval Commanders' Conference 2025, an important event where senior Navy leaders come together to discuss the future of India’s maritime security. The conference will take place in two phases — the first on April 5 in Karwar, and the second from April 7 to 10 in New Delhi.
This biannual event is one of the Navy’s most important meetings, where top commanders talk about key issues related to the country’s defence, operations, and administration. It is also a platform to plan how the Navy can become stronger, more modern, and better prepared to deal with future challenges.
Phase I: Major Events at Karwar
The first phase of the conference will begin with a special ceremony at Karwar. Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh will flag off the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar, a naval mission aimed at strengthening India’s ties with countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This mission is based on the idea of MAHASAGAR – a vision shared by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his visit to Mauritius in March 2025. The word MAHASAGAR stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions, which means working together for peace and security in the region.
As part of this mission, the Indian Navy’s ship INS Sunayna will be sent to the south-western part of the Indian Ocean. What makes this mission special is that the ship will carry a team made up of sailors from India and nine friendly countries: Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania. This will help build trust and friendship among these nations and promote teamwork at sea.
After the flag-off, the Defence Minister will also inaugurate new buildings and support facilities under Project Seabird, India’s largest naval infrastructure project at Karwar. He will also be given a detailed presentation about the Navy’s current readiness and its future plans.
Phase II: Detailed Discussions in New Delhi
The second part of the conference will be held in New Delhi. Here, naval commanders will have deeper discussions about many areas such as naval operations, logistics, training, human resource development, and overall administration. The focus will be on improving coordination and efficiency across the Navy.
This phase will also involve top military leaders from other services – the Chief of Defence Staff, Army Chief, and Air Force Chief – who will join the Navy in discussions. These joint meetings will help all three forces work together better and plan combined operations for the future.
In addition, the commanders will interact with key civilian leaders such as Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri and G20 Sherpa Shri Amitabh Kant. These discussions will focus on India’s foreign policy and how the Navy can support international engagement and diplomacy.
Focus on Self-Reliance and Modernisation
One of the main goals of the conference is to support the government’s vision of AatmaNirbharta — or self-reliance — especially in the field of defence. The Navy is working hard to reduce its dependence on foreign equipment and increase the use of Indian-made technologies. Modernisation and indigenisation (use of locally developed systems) will be key areas of discussion during the event.
Looking Ahead: A Stronger, Smarter Indian Navy
The Naval Commanders’ Conference 2025 is not just a routine meeting. It will help shape the Indian Navy’s future. The decisions and discussions from this conference will guide the Navy towards becoming more combat-ready, modern, and united. It will also strengthen India’s position as a strong maritime power and a trusted partner in the Indian Ocean region.
As the Navy continues to grow and adapt to new challenges, this conference will play a crucial role in ensuring that India’s seas remain safe, secure, and peaceful for all. (PR)