India Charts Maritime Future: National Seminar Gathers Key Stakeholders

The Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), the tri-services think tank operating under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), is set to host a landmark two-day national seminar on “India’s Maritime Vision” on July 24–25, 2025, in New Delhi. Organized in collaboration with the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS) under the Ministry of Culture, this seminar underscores a strategic convergence of defence, diplomacy, and development as India moves steadfastly towards its centenary goals.

A ‘Whole of Nation’ Maritime Approach

The seminar is being framed around the “Whole of Nation” concept, a holistic framework that recognizes the interconnected roles of various sectors—strategic, cultural, industrial, and academic—in shaping India's maritime trajectory. The event seeks to foster an inclusive and forward-looking dialogue to explore how India’s maritime legacy and future aspirations intersect.

This gathering stands as a platform where the ideas of maritime power, historical continuity, and contemporary geopolitical necessities blend into a coherent national outlook, guided by the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 as articulated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Themes: From Maritime Past to Indo-Pacific Futures

The seminar will explore India’s maritime journey from its ancient seafaring heritage and historic port networks to current imperatives in the Indo-Pacific. Topics of discussion include:

• Strategic Connectivity: Examination of sea lines of communication (SLOCs), naval diplomacy, and regional security frameworks like the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).

• Maritime Security: Tackling transnational threats, coastal surveillance, and naval modernisation.

• Blue Economy: Sustainable exploitation of ocean resources, marine biotechnology, and deep-sea exploration.

• Port Infrastructure & Governance: Enhancing coastal infrastructure, boosting logistics, and improving regulatory mechanisms.

• Cultural and Historical Legacy: Reviving maritime cultural heritage through port archaeology and maritime museums.

Each of these strands is expected to converge around policy frameworks that bolster India’s emergence as a maritime power in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region.

High-Level Participation Across Domains

The seminar will feature a distinguished panel of participants, ensuring broad representation and expertise:

• Senior Serving Officers from the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard, who will offer strategic insights into maritime operations and defence preparedness.

• Academicians and Researchers from top universities and maritime research institutions, contributing scholarly perspectives on historical and geopolitical dimensions.

• Industry Stakeholders from the shipping and port development sectors, addressing the role of infrastructure, logistics, and maritime trade.

• Experts from Think Tanks such as IDSA, ORF, and maritime-focused policy forums, offering global and regional strategic analysis.

• Cultural Practitioners and Historians, ensuring the inclusion of civilizational perspectives into the maritime narrative.

Supporting India’s 2047 Vision

This national seminar aligns with India's long-term ambition to become a global maritime leader by its 100th year of independence. Central to this is the idea of integrating civil-military-academic-industrial domains through sustained dialogue, collaboration, and innovation.

By revisiting India’s maritime roots and leveraging its coastal and oceanic assets, the seminar aims to promote not only national security and economic growth, but also cultural revival and international partnerships. The dialogue is expected to produce actionable insights that may inform future policy documents, white papers, and maritime doctrine.

A Strategic Inflection Point

As the global maritime environment becomes increasingly dynamic, India's proactive and integrated approach to maritime policy places it on the cusp of transformational change. The CENJOWS seminar, with its multi-dimensional format, is not merely a forum for deliberation—it is a launchpad for a unified national maritime strategy rooted in history, driven by innovation, and guided by ambition.