The 5th edition of ‘Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2023” (IPRD-2023)was held from November 15-17, 2023, the three-day annual apex-level regional strategic dialogue of the Indian Navy (IN), was held in New Delhi , Delhi, with the theme ‘Geopolitical Impacts upon Indo-Pacific Maritime Trade and Connectivity’.
- IPRD-2023 Saw Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by National Maritime Foundation (NMF)
- It also saw the release of several publications.
Organizers:
The IPRD-2023 was organised by IN in collaboration with NMF as its knowledge partner.
Key Points:
i.IPRD recognized as maritime counterpart to Raisina Dialogue, highlighting maritime connectivity’s role in India’s economic progress and the India-Middle-East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) from G20 Summit.
ii.India’s Indo-Pacific vision emphasized, focusing on the global significance of oceans.
iii.Discussions included holistic security through SAGAR Security and Growth for All in the Region) and Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar.
iv.Harit Sagar (Green Ocean) which envisages several new projects related to green hydrogen, green port guidelines, renewable energy and biodiversity protection was also highlighted during the event.
Participants:
i.Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar was the Chief Guest for the Commemorative Session and Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance, delivered the Special Address.
- General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS); Adm Sunil Lanba (Retd), Former Chief of the Naval Staff, TK Ramachandran, Secretary, MoPSW, among over 1000 participants, including delegates from friendly foreign countries and international organisations.
Release of Publications:
i.The Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar released a book entitled ‘Building Partnerships – India and International Cooperation for Maritime Security’ published by NMF.
ii.Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman released an edited volume entitled ‘Maritime Perspectives: Maritime Security Dynamics in the Indo-Pacific: Strategies and Trends’ published by NMF.
iii.Union Minister of State (MoS) Meenakashi Lekhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) released a book ‘Maritime Perspectives 2023: Approaches to a Sustainable Marine Environment: Challenges and Solutions’, published by NMF.
iv.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) released a book titled ‘Shipbuilding Trends and the Rise of Indo-Pacific’, published by the NMF.
v.Vice Admiral (VAdm) G Ashok Kumar (Retd), National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC), released a book titled ‘Gwadar – A Chinese Gibraltar’, authored by Captain Alok Bansal (Retd), IN.
vi.Admiral Karambir Singh (Retd), Chairman of the National Maritime Foundation, and former Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) released a report “India-Vietnam Dyadic Approached to Holistic Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific” by Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar.
Signing of MoUs:
NMF signed MoUs of cooperation with the following four think-tanks in the Indo-Pacific:
- Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE), Nepal;
- Global Centre for Policy and Strategy (GLOCEPS), Kenya
- Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), Vietnam
- The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi, Delhi
About IPRD:
Its 1st edition was held in 2018 in New Delhi. The 4th edition was conducted to a physical format, at New Delhi in 2022.
Recent Related News:
i.On 4th October 2023, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence(MoD), launched Swavlamban 2023 (Swavlamban 2.0), the 2nd edition of the Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) seminar, in New Delhi, Delhi. The 2-day seminar was held from 4th to 5th October 2023.
ii.The 2023 edition of the Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise (AJHE)– “CHAKRAVAT 2023” was conducted by the Indian Navy (IN) at Goa from 09th to 11th October 2023.
About Indian Navy (IN):
Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS)– Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar
Headquarters– Integrated Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi, Delhi
Founded– 26 January 1950
