The second edition of the Naval Commanders’ Conference 2026 commenced at Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi on 29 September 2026, bringing together the senior leadership of the Indian Navy, including Operational and Area Commanders, for deliberations on operational preparedness, maritime security and future capability development.

The conference commenced with the inaugural address by Adm Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Naval Staff, who reviewed the prevailing maritime security environment and the Indian Navy’s operational posture. He underscored the importance of maintaining a high degree of combat readiness, agility and responsiveness while accelerating technology absorption and capability development to address contemporary and emerging challenges across the maritime domain.

Addressing the Naval Commanders, defence minister Rajnath Singh underscored India’s growing strategic responsibilities in the maritime domain and the Indian Navy’s role as a First Responder and Preferred Security Partner in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). He stressed the need to strengthen maritime surveillance, analytical capability and operational responsiveness.  

Referring to the situation in West Asia, he highlighted the navy’s conduct of Operation Urja Suraksha and its contribution to safeguarding India’s energy security. He also emphasised on ‘Aatmanirbharta’, indigenous capability, development and technology absorption, underscoring that secure seas are integral to a secure nation and a developed nation.

Gen. NS Raja Subramani, Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), acknowledged the Indian Navy as a strategic force multiplier and commended its sustained efforts towards technology absorption, ‘Aatmanirbharta’ and safeguarding India’s energy security. He highlighted the changing character of warfare and emphasised the need for accelerated technology transformation, seamless data sharing, enhanced resilience and sustenance, underpinned by greater Jointness and integration across the Services.

Gen. Dhiraj Seth, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), also interacted with the Naval Commanders and shared perspectives on the contemporary security environment. The interaction focused on further strengthening Tri-Service synergy, interoperability and integrated responses to emerging security challenges. The discussions reinforced the need for closer coordination and continued exchange of operational lessons among the Services towards enhancing joint preparedness.

The engagements with the CDS and COAS provided an opportunity for the Naval leadership to exchange perspectives on the evolving character of warfare, capability development and the increasing importance of integrated operations in addressing emerging security challenges.

During the remaining sessions of the three-day Conference, the Naval leadership undertook detailed deliberations on Operations, Materiel, Logistics, Human Resources, Training, force development and induction of emerging technologies. Measures to optimise force levels, strengthen combat readiness and accelerate capability development were also reviewed.