The Indian Navy is all set to host the annual Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2024, the premier international conference aimed at addressing strategic maritime security issues in the Indo-Pacific region. The event, wiil be held from October 3 to 5, 2024, in New Delhi, promises to bring together a diverse array of global experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from over 20 countries to discuss the conference's theme, "Resource-Geopolitics and Security in the Indo-Pacific."
The IPRD is the Indian Navy's flagship international outreach event and serves as a strategic-level forum for engaging with global maritime partners. Organized in partnership with the National Maritime Foundation (NMF), the event builds on the Indian Navy's broader commitment to regional cooperation and security in the Indo-Pacific. It follows the recently concluded Goa Maritime Symposium 2024, which focused on operational-level naval cooperation within the Indian Ocean region.
Since its inception in 2018, the IPRD has become a critical platform for discussing the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and its seven key pillars. While the Goa Maritime Symposium centers on operational collaboration, the IPRD delves into comprehensive, strategic-level issues affecting the Indo-Pacific. After being conducted virtually in 2021 due to the pandemic, the IPRD has returned to its physical format since 2022.
The focus of this year's conference will be on two essential pillars of the IPOI: “Marine Resources” and “Resource Sharing.” With a growing emphasis on resource-geopolitics, discussions will center on the implications of dwindling fish stocks, increasing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the competition for vital resources such as cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements (REEs), which are essential for renewable energy technologies. Offshore energy resources, including hydrocarbons and oceanic renewable energy sources, will also be a key area of exploration.
A highlight of IPRD 2024 will be a Commemorative Address by India’s Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh. Additionally, there will be special addresses by distinguished speakers, offering insights into the geopolitics of resource-sharing and security in the Indo-Pacific. The conference aims to identify emerging trends and provide policy recommendations for regional cooperation.
In keeping with the IPRD’s tradition, the dialogue will feature proactive participation from students, scholars, diplomats, and members of the global think-tank community. This diverse involvement is expected to enhance discussions and foster innovative solutions for maritime security and resource management in the Indo-Pacific.
IPRD 2024 continues to serve as a significant platform for international cooperation and strategic dialogue, reinforcing India's role as a key player in promoting peace, prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific. (PR)