The second edition of the biannual Naval Commanders’ Conference 2025 concluded successfully on October 24, 2025, at Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi. Held from October 22 to 24, the three-day conference served as a strategic platform for senior naval leadership to deliberate on key issues of operational preparedness, maritime security, tri-service integration, and the path toward a fully Aatmanirbhar Navy by 2047.
Raksha Mantri Commends Operational Readiness
Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh addressed the Naval Commanders on October 23, commending the Indian Navy for maintaining an exceptional level of operational readiness and a robust deterrent posture. He praised the Navy’s pivotal role in safeguarding national maritime interests, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The Minister affirmed that the Navy’s presence in the region continues to be a source of comfort for friendly nations and a clear deterrent to those attempting to destabilise peace and security.
Highlighting the Navy’s modernization, Shri Rajnath Singh reiterated that “a self-reliant Navy is the foundation of a confident nation.” He emphasized the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, innovation-driven tactics, and autonomous warfare systems to strengthen maritime capabilities. The Raksha Mantri lauded indigenous efforts under iDEX and Make-in-India, which have made the Indian Navy a global example of Aatmanirbharta in defence.
Strategic Deliberations and Integration Goals
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar opened the conference with a forward-looking address, reinforcing the Navy’s vision of being a “Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive, and Future-Ready Force.” He acknowledged the evolving global maritime environment and reaffirmed India’s commitment to regional engagement through operational adaptability and technological innovation.
He applauded the Navy’s recent operational advances, joint missions, and contributions to India’s defence diplomacy. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, and Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, joined discussions on enhancing tri-service integration, resource optimization, and joint operational planning. Cabinet Secretary Shri Rajeev Gauba also interacted with the commanders, strengthening coordination between defence and governance institutions.
Key Releases and Digital Initiatives
As part of the conference, five major naval publications were released, including the Regulations for Naval Armament Service, GeM Handbook, and Foreign Cooperation Roadmap. The highlight was the launch of NIPUN (Naval Intellectual Portal for Unified Knowledge), a one-stop digital platform designed to aggregate knowledge contributions and foster collaboration among naval personnel across strategic, operational, and technological domains.
Sagar Manthan: Thought Leadership at Sea
An event titled Sagar Manthan was organized on the sidelines of the conference on October 22, bringing together naval commanders, maritime experts, and policy leaders to exchange perspectives on global security trends, innovation in naval warfare, and the future of India’s maritime influence. Discussions at Sagar Manthan underscored India’s role as a responsible security partner in the Indo-Pacific and a major force for regional stability.
Conclusion
The Naval Commanders’ Conference 2025 reaffirmed the Indian Navy’s resolve to safeguard national maritime interests through innovation, deterrence, and integration. With its continuing progress under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and advancements in autonomous and digital warfare technologies, the Navy remains poised to steer India’s maritime strategy into a future defined by self-reliance, operational excellence, and regional leadership.
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Source: PIB
