At the 4th edition of the Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC)  organised by the Indian Navy in partnership with the Naval War College, Goa starting Oct 29-31, 12 Indian Ocean littoral countries will participate.

According to the Indian Navy, the event is expected to be attended by Adm R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, who will host Chiefs of Navies, Heads of Maritime Forces, and Senior Representatives from 12 Indian Ocean littoral countries, including Maldives, Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

The central theme for GMC-2023 is “Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean Region: Converting Common Maritime Priorities into Collaborative Mitigating Frameworks.” This biennial gathering reflects the Indian Navy’s commitment to international cooperation and intellectual exchange in the field of maritime security. This theme underscores the importance of working together in the maritime domain to ensure security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). 

GMC serves as a platform where maritime security practitioners and academia come together to share their collective knowledge, leading to practical maritime strategies. With previous editions held in 2017, 2019, and 2021, this event has become a crucial forum for Chiefs of Navy and Heads of Maritime Agencies. It encourages dialogue and cooperative strategies to address current and future maritime challenges while emphasizing the improvement of interoperability among partner maritime agencies.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, will be the chief guest and will deliver the keynote address. The GMC-23 agenda covers four sessions, each focused on key aspects of maritime security:

Identifying Regulatory and Legal Framework Gaps for Achieving Maritime Security in the IOR. Formulating a Common Multilateral Maritime Strategy and Operating Protocols for GMC Nations to Mitigate Maritime Threats Collectively.
Identifying and Establishing Collaborative Training Programmes in Centres of Excellence across the IOR. Leveraging Activities Conducted by Existing Multilateral Organizations in the IOR to Foster Collective Maritime Competencies.

In addition to the discussions, visiting dignitaries will have the unique opportunity to explore India’s Indigenous shipbuilding industry at the “Make in India Exhibition” and witness indigenous warships, as well as the capabilities of the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV).

In its fourth iteration, the Goa Maritime Conclave aims to be a practical forum, actively converting shared maritime priorities into collaborative mitigating frameworks. The event emphasizes the importance of international collaboration in preserving the security and stability of the Indian Ocean Region.