Goa Maritime Conclave 2026 to strengthen regional maritime security cooperation by bringing together representatives from 14 Indian Ocean Region countries

Goa Khabar : The fifth edition of the Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC-26), which is scheduled to be held at the Naval War College, Goa, on 21 Feb 2026, will bring together Chiefs of Navy and senior representatives from 14 Indian Ocean Region (IOR) countries to deliberate on common maritime security challenges and strengthen cooperative mechanisms in the region.

This year’s edition is being held under the theme “Common Maritime Security Challenges in the IOR – Progressing Lines of Effort to Mitigate Dynamic Threats,” reflecting the growing need for collective responses to emerging maritime risks.

Commandant of Naval War College, Goa, Rear Admiral Arjun Dev Nair, while addressing the media on the event today, February 18, said the GMC-26 is notable as it is being hosted for the first time at Chola Bhawan, the new academic complex of the Naval War College in Goa. “The venue underscores the importance of grounding maritime security discussions in a strong intellectual and institutional framework while symbolizing India’s maritime heritage and its commitment to professional military education and regional maritime engagement,” he said.

“Over the years, the Conclave has expanded beyond discussions to focus on practical mechanisms for cooperation, information sharing, and capacity building to tackle shared maritime challenges. GMC-26 assumes special significance in view of the increasing convergence of maritime threats in the IOR, including Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, narcotics trafficking, and other illicit maritime activities, which impact economic security, environmental sustainability, and regional stability,” the Rear Admiral said and added that the Conclave aims to build a shared understanding of these issues and promote collaborative solutions rather than unilateral responses.

The Conclave aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of MAHASAGAR – Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions – which emphasizes the seas as shared spaces for peace, growth, and partnership.

The Goa Maritime Conclave, which began in 2017 with participation from 10 IOR countries under the theme “Addressing Regional Maritime Challenges,” has evolved into a credible biennial platform for maritime dialogue and capacity building over the years.