![](https://bharatshakti.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LT-BSI-Defence.gif")
At the 10th Edition of the Indian Defence Conclave in New Delhi, India reaffirmed its commitment to a secure, open, and collaborative Indo-Pacific region. The discussions brought together senior defence officials, strategists, and ministers from across the Indian Ocean region, with a sharp focus on maritime partnerships, technological advancement, and regional stability.
The conclave comes at a time when the Indo-Pacific has become the world’s strategic crossroads, vital for trade, energy routes, and global security. Against this backdrop, India’s defence and diplomatic leadership called for a future shaped by joint development, resilience, and cooperation rather than rivalry.
India–Sri Lanka: Shared Responsibility in the Indian Ocean
Addressing the gathering, AVM Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Defence Secretary of Sri Lanka, stressed that the Indo-Pacific must remain “a platform for inclusive growth, not a theatre of rivalry.”
He highlighted the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and strategic bonds between India and Sri Lanka, describing the two as “anchors of peace and cooperation in the Indian Ocean.”
“Our partnership is built on mutual respect and shared values. Together, we have the opportunity to ensure the Indian Ocean remains a zone of peace and prosperity,” he said.
Thuyacontha pointed to the 2025 India–Sri Lanka Defence Cooperation Agreement as a sign of the growing maturity of the relationship, now expanding beyond maritime security to include humanitarian assistance, technological innovation, and infrastructure resilience.
He urged regional actors to strengthen maritime domain awareness, digital infrastructure, and crisis-response mechanisms, stressing that no single nation can address contemporary security challenges in isolation.
10th India Defence Conclave | Inaugural Session
Philippines Highlights Strategic Convergence with India
In his special address, Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Secretary of National Defence of the Philippines, called for greater alignment of democratic partners in the Indo-Pacific, especially in safeguarding open sea lanes and ensuring a balanced regional order.
Teodoro underlined the Philippines’ intent to deepen defence cooperation with India, viewing it as a trusted and capable partner in maintaining security across the South China Sea and wider Indo-Pacific region.
“We share a belief in a free and rules-based Indo-Pacific,” he said. “Our cooperation must focus on building trust, developing indigenous capacity, and ensuring the safety of our maritime commons.”
He also noted that the Philippines is advancing its defence modernization program with a focus on technology, industry, and regional collaboration, areas where India’s expertise and experience are seen as key enablers.
Toward a Connected and Secure Indo-Pacific
The conclave underscored a collective vision for an Indo-Pacific defined by partnership, innovation, and self-reliance.
