The Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC-26), organized by the Indian Navy, concluded in Goa with a focus on enhancing cooperative efforts to tackle maritime security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Chiefs of Navies and senior leaders from 15 IOR countries participated, discussing evolving threats and the need for collaborative responses. The event underscored the importance of structured dialogue and coordinated actions among regional partners to address common maritime security challenges.
Former Navy chief Arun Prakash, in his keynote address, highlighted the necessity for synchronized regional responses in the face of the rapidly changing maritime security landscape. He stressed the significance of real-time information sharing, institutional coordination, and continuous capacity development to effectively address challenges like Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and transnational maritime crimes.
The conclave’s sessions focused on enhancing real-time maritime information exchange, operational coordination to combat illegal activities at sea, and pathways for capacity building among maritime agencies. Discussions emphasized the need for strengthening maritime domain awareness networks, improving interoperability between information-sharing systems, and pooling training resources for long-term maritime stability in the region.
Chief of the Naval Staff Dinesh K. Tripathi thanked partner nations for their participation and reiterated India’s commitment to promoting inclusive and action-oriented maritime cooperation. Tripathi emphasized the importance of transitioning from shared awareness to coordinated action through technology-driven collaboration and seamless information exchange. The participating delegations at the conclave expressed a strong consensus on enhancing maritime partnerships and ensuring a safe, secure, and stable Indian Ocean through sustained cooperation.
