The annual Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD), an apex-level international conference organized by the Indian Navy, is set to take place in New Delhi from November 15 to 17, 2023. The event will commence with a Keynote Address by Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Hon’ble Vice President of India, on November 15. Special Addresses by Union Ministers and senior government officers will provide guidance to the discussions during the conference.
As a significant strategic-level engagement, IPRD focuses on ‘holistic’ maritime security issues across the Indo-Pacific region. It follows the recently conducted Goa Maritime Conclave 2023, which concentrated on cooperative engagement at the strategic-operational level among Chiefs-of-Navy and Heads of Maritime Agencies in the Indian Ocean Region.
The theme of IPRD-2023 is “Geopolitical Impacts upon Indo-Pacific Maritime Trade and Connectivity.” Building upon the previous edition’s focus on ‘Operationalising the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI),’ this year’s conference specifically addresses the ‘Trade, Connectivity, and Maritime Transport’ pillar of the IPOI.
The National Maritime Foundation (NMF) serves as the knowledge partner and chief organizer of IPRD, fostering solution-oriented dialogue among key stakeholders, reviewing maritime trends, and addressing regional opportunities and challenges.
The six professional sessions during IPRD-2023 will delve into various aspects of geopolitical impacts on Indo-Pacific maritime trade and connectivity, featuring discussions on Nodes of Maritime Connectivity, China’s Impact, Maritime Connectivity through Shipping and Trade, Private Industry in Safety and Security, and Maintaining a Rules-based, Safe, and Secure Indo-Pacific.
The conference will witness international participation from 16 countries, offering diverse regional perspectives on the subject. In line with previous editions, participation from students, scholars, military practitioners, members of the diplomatic corps, and think-tanks will contribute to the vibrancy of the event.
