Second Naval Commanders Conference 2026 Opens in New Delhi

The second edition of the Naval Commanders’ Conference 2026 opened at Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi, on 29 September 2026. The three-day meeting brought the senior leadership of the Indian Navy together, including its Operational and Area Commanders, to review operational readiness, maritime security and the building of future capability.

Who said what

The opening address was delivered by Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Naval Staff, who surveyed the maritime security environment and the Navy’s present posture at sea. He asked for combat readiness, agility and quicker absorption of new technology as challenges in the maritime domain change shape.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh told the commanders that India’s responsibilities at sea are growing and described the Indian Navy as a First Responder and Preferred Security Partner in the Indian Ocean Region. He asked for stronger maritime surveillance, better analytical capability and faster operational response. Turning to West Asia, he pointed to Operation Urja Suraksha and the Navy’s part in protecting India’s energy security, and he linked Aatmanirbharta and indigenous capability to the wider goal of a secure and developed nation, noting that secure seas are inseparable from a secure country.

Tri-service thread

Chief of the Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan’s successor, General NS Raja Subramani, called the Navy a strategic force multiplier and praised its work on technology absorption, self-reliance and energy security. He spoke of the changing character of warfare and asked for faster technology transformation, seamless data sharing and greater resilience, all resting on jointness across the services. Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth also met the naval commanders, and that exchange focused on tri-service synergy, interoperability and integrated responses.

What the rest of the conference covers

Over the remaining sessions the naval leadership will take up operations, materiel, logistics, human resources, training, force development and the induction of emerging technologies. Steps to optimise force levels, sharpen combat readiness and speed up capability development are also on the table.