CULMINATION OF FIRST EDITION OF NAVAL COMMANDERS’ CONFERENCE 2025

Introduction The first edition of the biannual Naval Commanders’ Conference (NCC) 2025 concluded today in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone for the Indian Navy. The week-long event took place over two phases at Karwar and New Delhi, engaging senior leadership, commandos, and officials to address critical challenges and strengthen regional maritime security.

First Phase: Karwar (April 5-11) The conference began with an initiation ceremony at Karwar, where Shri Rajnath Singh, the Hon’ble Chief of the Defence Staff, addressed the):a audience during the opening session. The honoree emphasized that while the Indian Navy is central to maritime security in India, there are no boundaries—it is the responsibility of the entire IOR (Indian Ocean Region) to assume full responsibility for their safety.

The first phase featured discussions on addressing emerging geopolitical challenges and fostering collaboration with International Ocean Research Organizations (IORs). Key topics included:

• Security Challenges: Addressing threats such as terrorism, cyber warfare, and environmental risks in the maritime domain.
• Operational Readiness: Reviewing operational readiness levels to counter evolving security challenges.
• Tri-Service Synergy: Strengthening interactions between the Navy, Army, and Air Force to ensure tri-partite cooperation on regional security issues.

The conference concluded with a comprehensive assessment of the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities, including its strengths, vulnerabilities, and areas for modernization. Notably, nine state-of-the-art marine piers, eight residential buildings, and several utilities were constructed as part of Project Seabird, a collaborative effort between the Indian Navy and IOR nations.

Second Phase: New Delhi (April 7-13) The second phase, hosted at Nauseda Bhawan in New Delhi, brought together senior officers from all service branches to engage with key stakeholders. The agenda included:

• Space Vision and Air Publication Review: Discussions on India’s strategy for the Indian Naval Space Force and the Air Publication.
• Logistics and Human Resources Assessment: A detailed examination of the Navy’s logistics capabilities, human resource availability, and training programs.
• Training and Administrative Checks: Evaluations of the Navy’s readiness to counter evolving security threats through comprehensive assessments.

Additionally, Shri Vikram Misri, the Foreign Secretary, provided insights into the global order’s implications for maritime security in the IOR, while Shri Amitabh Kant underscored the Navy’s role in national growth and India’s emergence as a preferred security partner.

Key Achievements The first edition of the NCC 2025 marked significant milestones for the Indian Navy:

• International Collaboration: Strengthened international partnerships with IOR nations to address regional security challenges.
• Operational Readiness: Enhanced understanding and readiness levels among commandos to counter evolving threats.
• Tri-Service Synergy: fostered collaboration between the Navy, Army, and Air Force on regional security issues.

Conclusion The first edition of the NCC 2025 was a landmark event that underscored the Indian Navy’s commitment to safe, secure, and coordinated maritime security in the IOR. Through its discussions on security challenges, operational readiness, and international collaboration, the conference highlighted its role as a key player in regional security. The findings and recommendations from the conference will continue to guide efforts to maintain India’s position as a Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive, and Future Ready Force.