The second edition of the bi-annual Naval Commanders' Conference 2024 was held from September 17-20 at the newly inaugurated Nausena Bhawan in New Delhi. The high-level forum brought together senior leadership of the Indian Navy to deliberate on key security and operational issues, with a focus on enhancing combat capability and ensuring synergy with other armed forces.
The Conference aimed at analyzing contemporary security paradigms in light of evolving geostrategic dynamics. It provided a platform for intense discussions on bolstering the Navy's position as a First Responder and Preferred Security Partner in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), while reinforcing its commitment to the national vision of Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance).
The event was inaugurated by Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, who emphasized the importance of maintaining a Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive, and Future-Ready Force amidst a rapidly changing geo-strategic landscape and disruptive maritime technologies. Admiral Tripathi underscored the need for combat readiness across all naval platforms, focusing on operational efficiency, ordnance delivery, and enhanced maritime security in collaboration with the Coast Guard and other maritime agencies.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh addressed the Commanders on September 19, lauding the Indian Navy's efforts in ensuring maritime security in the IOR and its role in safeguarding crucial shipping lanes, including in the Gulf of Aden. He encouraged the Navy to maintain high operational preparedness and called for stronger jointness with other Services. The Raksha Mantri also attended a tech demonstration showcasing indigenous solutions developed by the Navy's Weapons and Electronics Systems Engineering Establishment (WESEE), with innovations in autonomous systems, domain awareness, and advanced communication technologies.
Key dignitaries, including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, and senior civil and military officials, participated in the event. The Chiefs of the Army and Air Force also interacted with the Naval Commanders, sharing their assessments of the operational environment and stressing the need for integrated force readiness.
The Conference reviewed critical aspects related to naval operations, infrastructure, logistics, and human resources, while addressing emerging maritime security challenges. The discussions focused on ensuring India’s readiness to tackle future security threats and further strengthening the integration of the Armed Forces to meet national security imperatives. (PR)