The Indian Navy is set to hold the first edition of the Naval Commanders’ Conference 2025 in two phases, beginning April 5. The high-level biannual meeting will bring together top Naval leadership to deliberate on key strategic, operational, and administrative priorities. Phase I will be held on April 5 at the Karwar naval base, while Phase II is scheduled to take place in New Delhi from April 7 to 10, according to Indian Navy.
The Conference, considered Navy’s apex-level event, aims to shape the service’s strategic direction and reinforce India’s role as the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It also underscores the Navy’s commitment to strengthening regional peace, security, and stability.
Phase I will be marked by the ceremonial flag-off of Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar, a key initiative under the government’s MAHASAGAR vision—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Region—announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Mauritius in March last month.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will flag off the Indian Ocean Ship Sagar (IOS Sagar) at Karwar. INS Sunayna will set sail to the South-West IOR, carrying a joint crew from the Indian Navy and nine partner nations: Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.
Following the ceremony, the Defence Minister will inaugurate several key maritime infrastructure projects and support facilities developed under Project Seabird, one of India’s largest naval infrastructure projects. He will also be briefed on the Indian Navy’s operational readiness and long-term strategic outlook, the Navy said.
Phase II of the conference in New Delhi will include detailed reviews of operational preparedness, logistics, material planning, human resource development, training, and other administrative matters. It will also feature interactions with senior leaders from across the armed forces and the foreign policy establishment.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Army Chief, and Air Chief will participate in discussions aimed at enhancing jointness and interoperability among the three services. The Naval Commanders will also engage with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, G20 Sherpa, and former CEO Niti Ayog Amitabh Kant on foreign policy and international engagement.
A key theme throughout the conference will be the Navy’s continued focus on modernisation, indigenisation, and self-reliance, which will align with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
The conference aims to outline the Navy’s synergy and address urgent operational, administrative, and material issues that require immediate attention and decisions from naval commanders.
Team BharatShakti
