New Delhi, 16 September (HS): The Indian Navy Commanders' Conference will be held in New Delhi from 17 to 20 September. Important strategic, operational and administrative issues will be discussed among the naval commanders in this conference held every six months. This conference, to be held against the backdrop of geopolitical and geostrategic dynamics, regional challenges and the complexity of the maritime security situation in West Asia, will play an important role in shaping the future of the Indian Navy.

During the conference, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will address the naval commanders on matters related to national security and national expectations. The Chief of Defense Staff along with the chiefs of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force will interact with the naval commanders to promote cooperation among the three forces in all areas of conflict and convergence towards theaterization. The conference will begin with the inaugural address of the Chief of Naval Staff and they will review the major operational, material, logistics, human resource development, training and administrative activities of the Indian Navy in the last six months. They will also deliberate on significant achievements to protect maritime interests.

This conference of Indian Naval Commanders is considered important in the sense that in recent months the Indian Navy has demonstrated its capability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) by responding with strength and determination against the emerging threats of drones and missiles affecting trade security at sea. The Naval Commanders will also review the ongoing naval projects to enhance indigenisation through 'Make in India' in line with the vision of complete self-reliance by 2047.

The conference will have a comprehensive review of operational preparedness towards the Navy's commitment to protect India's maritime interests. Apart from this, the Navy's capacity enhancement plan will be discussed. Indigenisation, promotion of the national vision of self-reliance and combat effectiveness of naval forces will be realized through the conference. The first edition of the conference this year was held in March on board the aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar