The Indian Navy will host the 2026 edition of the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) in New Delhi from November 3 to 5, bringing together maritime practitioners, scientists, academicians, policymakers, and experts from 18 countries to explore cooperation in science, technology, and research.
The five thematic sessions at IPRD-2026 will cover academic networks, research, and human capital development; maritime situational awareness and protection of critical maritime infrastructure; oceanographic science and climate resilience; collaborative approaches to ocean governance and maritime resilience; and transformative maritime technologies and their dual-use implications. The discussions will seek to identify practical measures to strengthen regional cooperation in maritime research, ocean governance, climate resilience, and emerging technologies, against the backdrop of growing vulnerabilities in maritime supply chains, pressure on marine resources, and threats to critical maritime infrastructure. The deliberations will examine avenues for joint research, collaborative technology development, scientific data-sharing and stronger institutional partnerships. The conference will also look beyond STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), recognising the role of social sciences, life sciences, and humanities in addressing complex maritime challenges.
