Indian Navy's Top-Level International Engagement: IPRD-2023

Indian Navy's annual top-level international conference – Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) – is being held at New Delhi from 15 to 17 November 2023. The program started on 15 November 23 with the keynote address by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Theme of Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2023:

• The overarching theme of the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue-2023 is “Geopolitical Impacts upon Indo-Pacific Maritime Trade and Connectivity”.
• This year’s edition of the IPRD builds on the previous edition, which specifically focused on “mobilizing IPOI by focusing on the ‘Trade, Connectivity and Maritime Transport’ pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)”. Undoubtedly, both ‘trade’ and ‘maritime transport’ are segments of maritime interaction.

Follow up of Goa Maritime Conclave 2023:

• IPRD is in pursuance of Goa Maritime Conclave 2023. This conclave was organized by the Indian Navy from 29 to 31 October 2023 at Goa.
• The goal of the Goa Maritime Conclave was to showcase the Indian Navy's collaborative efforts at the strategic-operational level, offering a forum for Chiefs of Naval Staff and Heads of Maritime Agencies in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Whereas the IPRD is the principal expression of the Navy's international engagement at the strategic level, focusing on issues related to 'holistic' maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Fifth IPRD 2023 Conference:

• The inaugural and second editions of the International Public Relations Day (IPRD) took place consecutively in New Delhi in 2018 and 2019.
• IPRD 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
• In 2021, the third edition of the International Public Relations Day (IPRD) was conducted virtually.
• The fourth edition was held in physical format in New Delhi in 2022.

National Maritime Foundation (NMF):

• NMF is the knowledge partner of the Indian Navy and the main organizer of each edition of IPRD.
• It aims to review various maritime trends, regional opportunities and challenges arising within the Indo-Pacific region and promote solution-oriented dialogue exchange among key stakeholders.

Study of geopolitical impacts on IP maritime trade and connectivity:

• IPRD-2023, through the agency of a series of globally renowned subject matter experts and eminent speakers, will address geopolitical impacts on Indo-Pacific maritime trade and connectivity through six professional sessions spread over a three-day period. Will apply. These sessions are:

1. Nodes of maritime connectivity;
2. China's influence on maritime connectivity in the Indo-Pacific region;
3. Maritime connectivity through shipping and trade;
4. Enhancing Maritime Connectivity via Shipping and Trade (Part 2);
5. private industry in the safety and security of maritime trade and navigation in the Indo-Pacific region; And
6. Maintaining a rules-based, secure and safe Indo-Pacific region.

• Professionals and subject matter experts from the Government of India, Indian Defense Industry and Indian Academia will also enrich this conference with their presence and contribution.

Eminent speakers from 16 countries are participating in IPRD 2023:

• International participation at IPRD 2023 would be through distinguished speakers from 16 countries. 
• These speakers are expected to offer diverse regional perspectives on the topic. Also, representatives of various embassies and high commissions based in New Delhi would  be present.
• Like the previous editions of IPRD, the vibrant student community and participation of scholars, eminent citizens, military practitioners, members of the diplomatic corps and think-tanks from India and abroad would add excitement to the event.

Background:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi had endorsed the principle of “Responsible Maritime Connectivity” in his address at the UNSC High-Level Open Debate on “Enhancing Maritime Security: A Case for International Cooperation” on 09 August 2021.
• In which Prime Minister Modi specifically highlighted three key aspects of building marine infrastructure namely:
  • Physical sustainability of such projects,
  • The absorptive capacity of the countries where such infrastructure is proposed to be developed, and
  • Emphasis was laid on appropriate global norms and standards for building marine infrastructure.
• However, geopolitical disruptions, wherever they occur, pose significant maritime challenges, including adverse impacts on trade and maritime connectivity.
• These challenges have been evident in events in recent years – from the COVID-19 pandemic to maritime manifestations of rising tensions as well as spreading armed conflicts in a world increasingly embroiled in geopolitical competition.