Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2025

Why in News: The Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2025, the annual apex-level strategic dialogue of the Indian Navy, was held from 28th to 30th October 2025. The event featured participation from eminent global experts and reviewed evolving geopolitical, economic, and maritime security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.

About Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD)

• Organised by: Indian Navy
• Knowledge Partner & Chief Organiser: National Maritime Foundation (NMF)
• Nature: Annual multilateral forum focusing on the maritime dimension of India’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
• Purpose:
  • To review current geopolitics and maritime challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • To explore opportunities for cooperation, connectivity, blue economy, and security partnerships.
  • To align maritime policy with India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.

Key Highlights of IPRD 2025

• Focus Areas:
  • Emerging maritime challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Security architecture, trade linkages, and environmental sustainability.
  • Enhancing regional cooperation through blue economy initiatives.
• Special Recognition: Shri Sanjeev Sanyal, Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), acknowledged the Indian Navy’s support in the construction and trials of INSV Kaundinya, a vessel that revives India’s ancient maritime traditions.

INSV Kaundinya – Symbol of India’s Maritime Heritage

• Inducted: May 2025
• Base Port: Karwar (Karnataka)
• Design Inspiration:
  • Based on a 5th-century ship design depicted in the Ajanta Caves murals.
  • Constructed using the Tankai method—a stitched wooden ship building technique that uses no nails or steel.
• Built by: Skilled artisans from Kerala, led by Master Shipwright Shri Babu Sankaran.
• Named After:
  • Kaundinya, a legendary 1st-century Indian mariner, credited with sailing to Southeast Asia and helping establish the Kingdom of Funan (in present-day Cambodia/Vietnam).
• Significance:
  • Revives India’s ancient seafaring traditions.
  • Aims to enhance maritime consciousness and inspire naval heritage education.
• Upcoming Mission: Scheduled to undertake a transoceanic voyage from Gujarat to Oman later in 2025, retracing India’s ancient trade routes across the Arabian Sea.

Prelims Pointers

• Event: Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2025
• Organiser: Indian Navy
• Knowledge Partner: National Maritime Foundation (NMF)
• INSV Kaundinya: 5th-century design, stitched wooden ship (Tankai method), based at Karwar
• Named after: Mariner Kaundinya, who established the Kingdom of Funan
• Builder: Master Shipwright Babu Sankaran (Kerala)
• Vision Linked to: SAGAR and Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)
• Upcoming Voyage: Gujarat → Oman, retracing ancient maritime trade routes

Source: PIB

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