The Indian Navy will host the 2024 edition of its annual apex-level international conference, the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD), in New Delhi from 3rd to 5th October 2024. This prestigious event follows the recently concluded Goa Maritime Symposium 2024, held on 24th and 25th September 2024 at the Naval War College in Goa. Read the official announcement here..
The IPRD is the Indian Navy’s flagship international engagement at the strategic level. It focuses on holistic maritime security across the Indo-Pacific. While the Goa Maritime Symposium facilitates operational-level discussions among navies and maritime agencies in the Indian Ocean Region, the IPRD tackles larger strategic issues. The National Maritime Foundation (NMF) is the Indian Navy’s knowledge partner and chief organiser of each IPRD edition.
Previous Editions and Themes
The first two editions of the IPRD were held in 2018 and 2019 in New Delhi. The 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the third edition in 2021 took place virtually. Since 2022, the IPRD has returned to a physical format, focusing on the seven interconnected pillars of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
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IPRD-2022 Theme: Operationalising the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative
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IPRD-2023 Theme: Geopolitical Impacts Upon Indo-Pacific Maritime Trade and Connectivity
IPRD-2024 Theme: Resource-Geopolitics and Security in the Indo-Pacific
The theme for this year’s conference is “Resource-Geopolitics and Security in the Indo-Pacific”. IPRD-2024 will explore two vital pillars of the IPOI: “Marine Resources” and “Resource Sharing”. The conference will discuss how both traditional and newly identified marine resources are influencing contemporary geopolitics and how they are expected to shape future strategies.
Key topics include:
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Dwindling Fish Stocks: The increase in Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
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Race for Critical Minerals: The geopolitical competition for cobalt, lithium, nickel, and other rare earth elements (REEs) like tellurium and neodymium. These minerals are crucial for manufacturing batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines, which are essential for transitioning to renewable energy sources.
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Offshore Energy Resources: The geopolitical significance of hydrocarbons, gas hydrates, and emerging oceanic renewable energy sources, such as ocean-sourced hydrogen.
Key Highlights of IPRD-2024
IPRD-2024 will feature a series of presentations and discussions led by globally renowned subject-matter experts. They will identify major trends in resource-geopolitics and suggest actionable policy options. Over the course of three days, the conference will also explore avenues for international cooperation, collaboration, and diplomatic engagement to address resource-related challenges.
A special highlight of the conference will be the Commemorative Address by the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri of India, Shri Rajnath Singh. Additionally, a series of “Special Addresses” by distinguished speakers and a panel of luminaries from over 20 countries will provide unique regional perspectives on the conference theme. Active participation from students, research scholars, academics, diplomats, and think-tanks from India and abroad will enrich the discussions and contribute to the success of the event.
The Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2024 promises to be a landmark event, advancing discussions on maritime security and resource management in the Indo-Pacific region.
