NT Reporter
Panaji
Chiefs of Naval staff or representatives from 14 nations including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Kenya, Singapore, Sri Lanka and others will participate in the Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC-26) scheduled to be held at Chola Bhavan, Naval War College, Verem, on February 21.
The Goa Maritime Conclave is particularly significant, as it addresses converging maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region, especially illegal activities at sea. The theme of GMC-26 focuses on narcotics trafficking, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and other illicit maritime activities.
These non-traditional threats undermine economic security, environmental sustainability and regional peace. Given the dense traffic and diverse stakeholders in the Indian Ocean, coordinated responses and shared awareness are critical. The Navy said GMC-26 aims to build consensus and encourage cooperative mechanisms to address these issues.
“Emerging challenges, including climate change, cyber threats and dark shipping, further exacerbate these risks,” a statement issued by the Navy said.
Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth will be the chief guest at the event. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi will host chiefs of navies, heads of maritime forces and senior representatives from 14 nations.
Goa Maritime Conclave is conducted biennially and is preceded by Goa Maritime Symposium (GMS), which serves as a feeder event with working-level meetings among the participating nations.
The conclave will feature deliberations by eminent speakers and subject-matter experts focusing on real-time exchange of maritime information and joint efforts to strengthen capacities and capabilities, the ministry said.
Admiral Arun Prakash (retd), former chief of the Naval Staff, will deliver the keynote address.
Goa Maritime Conclave is a premier platform that harnesses the collective wisdom and operational experience of security practitioners from the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to generate practical solutions to contemporary maritime challenges.
The GMC-26 aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). “The message is clear: maritime security cannot be achieved in isolation – it requires sustained engagement, capacity building and respect for sovereignty while fostering regional stability.”
