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Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2026

Kumari Sonali

Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2026:

The Indian Navy will host the 2026 edition of the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) in New Delhi from November 3 to 5.

  • IPRD is the Indian Navy’s annual apex-level international strategic dialogue.
  • The idea of an annual IPRD was first conceptualised and conducted in 2018 as the apex-level conference of the Indian Navy.
  • It is organised in association with the National Maritime Foundation (NMF), the Navy’s knowledge partner.
  • IPRD seeks to translate the broad framework of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) into specific, actionable proposals.
  • IPRD also supports India’s maritime vision of MAHASAGAR-Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
  • IPRD 2026:
    • It is the eighth edition of the IPRD.
    • Venue: Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.
    • Theme: Science, Technology, and Academic Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Notably, IPRD-2026 will expand its focus beyond traditional STEM disciplines to incorporate social sciences, life sciences, and the humanities into maritime deliberations.
  • The three-day conference will bring together maritime practitioners, scientists, academicians, policymakers, and experts from 18 countries across the Indo-Pacific to formulate actionable proposals for regional cooperation.
  • Five thematic sessions will be held during the conference. They will focus on
    • joint research, research networks, and human development;
    • protection of critical maritime infrastructure and enhanced monitoring;
    • climate resilience and ocean dynamics;
    • maritime resilience and responsible management; and
    • dual-use maritime technologies and their implications.
  • The event aims to identify concrete, solution-oriented measures across national, sub-regional, and pan-regional tiers.

Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI):

  • The Prime Minister of India has proposed the IPOI at the East Asia Summit held in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 4, 2019.
  • As an open global initiative, the IPOI draws on existing regional cooperation architecture and mechanisms to focus on seven central pillars. They are:
    • Maritime security
    • Maritime ecology
    • Maritime resources
    • Capacity building and resource sharing
    • Disaster risk reduction and management
    • Science, technology, and academic cooperation
    • Trade connectivity and maritime transport.

National Maritime Foundation (NMF):

  • It is the nation’s first maritime think tank for the conduct of independent and policy-relevant research on all ‘matters maritime’.
  • The foundation was inaugurated on the 15th of February, 2005.
  • It was, from its very inception, designed to create and heighten maritime awareness amongst India’s policymakers, intellectual echelons, and civil society at large.
  • While the NMF is an independent and autonomous think tank, its intellectual and organisational development is supported by the Ministry of Defence and the Indian Navy.