The fifth edition of the Goa Maritime Conclave will begin on November 21st in Goa, bringing together naval leaders and senior representatives from 14 countries in the Indian Ocean. Speaking at the opening event, Rear Admiral A. D. Nair said that the biennial Goa Maritime Conclave, launched in 2017, has evolved into a credible platform for regional maritime dialogue and capacity building.
This year's edition, GMC-26, focuses on common maritime security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region and ways to mitigate emerging and dynamic threats. He further added that key issues under discussion include illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, narcotics trafficking, and other illicit maritime activities that impact economic security, environmental sustainability, and regional stability.
For the first time, the conclave is being hosted at Chola Bhawan, the new academic complex of the Naval War College in Goa. The venue reflects India's effort to anchor maritime cooperation in strong intellectual and institutional foundations. Participating nations include Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, and several East African partners.
The conclave aligns with the Prime Minister's MAHASAGAR vision – Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions – emphasizing that maritime security in the Indian Ocean is a shared responsibility built on dialogue, trust, and cooperation.