New Delhi [India], November 4 (ANI): Former Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff Sanjay Mahindru on Tuesday said academic cooperation is the main focus of the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2026, with discussions aimed at bringing academic institutions across Indo-Pacific countries together to share capacities and capabilities and address future regional challenges.

Speaking on the sidelines of the dialogue, Mahindru said the annual initiative is based on the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).

'This is an annual initiative based on the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). This year, academic cooperation is the main focus, with discussions aimed at bringing academic institutions across Indo-Pacific countries together to collaborate, share capacities and capabilities, and build collective strength to address future regional challenges,' he said.

On the scope for submarine cooperation among regional navies, Mahindru said that while submarines remain a confidential aspect of every navy, countries could collaborate in understanding the underwater domain in which they operate.

'Submarines are generally a very confidential part of every navy. However, there is scope for collaboration, particularly in understanding the underwater domain in which submarines operate. Sharing knowledge about regional hydrology and bathymetry, along with the unique characteristics and challenges of different maritime regions, can help improve our understanding of the underwater domain,' he said.

The Indian Navy's annual international strategic dialogue, the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2026 (IPRD-2026), commenced in New Delhi on Tuesday, bringing together maritime experts and representatives from partner countries to discuss science, technology and academic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Organised in association with the National Maritime Foundation (NMF), the Navy's knowledge partner, the three-day conference is being held on the theme, 'Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific'.The opening day focused on translating scientific advancements and institutional partnerships into practical regional cooperation, with discussions examining how the Indo-Pacific could strengthen maritime capabilities, institutional collaboration and shared regional resilience.

The proceedings began with the inaugural address by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi (Retd), Chairman of the NMF and former Chief of the Naval Staff. This was followed by a special address by Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta (Retd), National Maritime Security Coordinator.

The first professional session focused on 'Academic Networks, Research, and Human Capital Development'. Moderated by Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahindru (Retd), former Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, the session featured perspectives from France, Indonesia, Japan and the Maldives.

Discussions explored the possibility of establishing a wider Indian Ocean academic network, including cooperation among universities in Indo-Pacific coastal cities, as well as strengthening social-science research networks in the Indian Ocean region.

The session also examined closer collaboration among think tanks, universities and governments. A monograph titled 'Sea Blindness and Maritime Heritage in India' was released at the conclusion of the session.

The second professional session, titled 'Maritime Situational Awareness and Protection of Critical Maritime Infrastructure', examined contemporary challenges associated with maritime awareness, protection of seaborne trade and safeguarding critical undersea infrastructure.

Moderated by Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti (Retd), former Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, the session discussed opportunities and challenges associated with the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA), particularly information-sharing requirements and the development of a cooperative regional architecture for underwater domain awareness.

The session also featured perspectives from the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) on cooperative approaches to protecting critical maritime infrastructure.

Together, the two sessions examined ways to strengthen maritime information-sharing, safeguard critical infrastructure, improve access to oceanographic knowledge and facilitate coordinated responses to climate-related risks through scientific and technological partnerships.

The day's programme also featured 'Sahyog Ka Samvaad', a special ambassadorial interaction with Sri Lankan High Commissioner Mahishini Colonne, Philippines Ambassador Josel F Ignacio and Norwegian Ambassador May-Elin Stener.

The interaction was hosted and moderated by Vice Admiral Pradeep Chauhan (Retd), Director-General of the National Maritime Foundation.

The first day concluded with enthusiastic participation from the audience, which presented several actionable policy recommendations on regional cooperation in science and technology and knowledge-sharing through academic collaboration. (ANI)