The first Naval Commanders’ Conference devoted solely to maritime issues

The inaugural edition of the Naval Commanders’ Conference of 2022 will begin today and last until April 28, 2022, with the goal of discussing critical maritime issues.

The Conference, in particular, provides a forum for Naval Commanders to debate key maritime issues at a military-strategic level as well as communicate with senior government officials in a formal setting.

Deliberation on past, present & future strategies

Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, and other naval commanders will examine the Indian Navy’s key operational, materiel, logistics, human resource development, training, and administrative actions over the last six months during the conference.

There will also be a discussion of future plans for major activities and initiatives. The naval commanders will also discuss the dynamics of the geostrategic situation in the context of regional security scenarios as well as developments resulting from the continuing Russia-Ukraine war.

“Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will speak and interact with the Naval Commanders on subjects relevant to national security,” according to an official statement from the Indian Navy.

The Indian Army and Air Force Chiefs will also meet with the Naval Commanders to examine the convergence of the three Services in terms of a single operating environment, as well as ways to improve Tri-Service synergy and readiness, according to the release.

The Indian Navy has been concentrating on being a combat-ready, credible, and cohesive force with a forward-looking attitude, and it has been rigorously carrying out its mandate. The Indian Navy has seen tremendous increase in its operational tasking over the years, in line with India’s rising maritime interests, and as the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ has also grown in recent times.

Importantly, in FY 20-21, Indian Navy ships participated in many COVID-related outreach missions to give food and medical aid to littoral states in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), in addition to carrying out its mammoth effort ‘Mission Sagar.’

Navy Chief’s first international visit

Admiral R Hari Kumar visited the Maldives from April 18 to 20 as part of his maiden overseas visit since taking over as Chief of Naval Staff (CNS).

During his visit, he met with President Ibrahim Mohamad Solih, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi, and Chief of Defence Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal (CDF).
The Navy Chief hosted a reception onboard the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sutlej on April 18, 2022, to identify new possibilities for expanding bilateral cooperation in the defence and maritime arena.

The INS Sutlej is currently deployed to the Maldives to conduct a cooperative hydrographic survey as part of a memorandum of understanding on hydrographic cooperation. The Navy Chief also displayed the first ‘Navigation Chart,’ co-produced by India and the Maldives, and handed over hydrography equipment to strengthen the Maldives National Defence Force’s organic capabilities (MNDF).
Creating defence alliances

General Admiral R. Hari Kumar, the Chief of Naval Staff of India, met with Minister of Defence Uza. Mariya Didi to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the Indian Navy and the MNDF in the areas of maritime information sharing, maritime domain awareness, bilateral maritime agreements, and capacity-building initiatives during his visit.

In November 2021, the Maldives’ Defense Minister was the Chief Guest at the Indian Naval Academy’s Passing Out Parade, and Col Ibrahim Hilmy, Commandant of the Maldives Coast Guard, led the Maldives Delegation at MILAN-2022, which was hosted by India in Visakhapatnam in February 2022.