Newport, RI – The Indian Naval War College (NWC-GOA) and U.S. Naval War College (NWC) co-hosted the Indo-American Naval War College Conference, the 21st annual installment in NWC’s regional alumni symposium (RAS) series, in Goa, India, April 16-18.
The conference welcomed 150 naval leaders and scholars from 17 nations, including ten current and former heads of Indo-Pacific navies and coast guards, to discuss the strengthening of global maritime partnerships.
The event began with an inaugural address by Vice Adm. Vennam Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Navy’s Southern Naval Command, followed by keynote remarks by Adm. R. Hari Kumar, Indian Navy, Chief of Naval Staff, and Adm. Samuel Paparo, prospective Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The leaders stressed the need for cooperation and collaboration between regional naval forces.
“No single navy has the wherewithal to address all the challenges we face in this region,” said Kumar. “I am sure that ours will be the defining partnerships that will catapult our countries’ cooperation into the future.”
Paparo echoed these sentiments, stating that the nations represented at the conference must “share techniques, tactics and procedures (TTPs) and work to increase both interoperability and interchangeability - making us a better force and a better partner."
In addition to India and the U.S., participating nations included Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Comoros, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Maldives, Mauritius, Philippines, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tonga and the UK.
Attendees, including alumni of NWC and NWC-GOA, participated in roundtable and panel discussions led by faculty from both professional military education institutions as well as other scholars, leaders, practitioners and subject matter experts from around the Indo-Pacific region.
Discussions covered topics of shared interest to Indo-Pacific nations, including multilateral security cooperation opportunities; the maritime security impacts of climate change; regional naval developments; fisheries enforcement; defense technology collaboration; and women, peace and security.
Rear Adm. Arjun Dev Nair, Commandant, NWC-GOA, and Rear Adm. Peter Garvin, President, NWC, concluded the conference by thanking participants for their roles in facilitating constructive dialogue and urging them to continue collaborating and exchanging ideas moving forward.
“The discussions we’ve had and the connections we’ve made are vital for enhancing our maritime security cooperation and partnership,” Garvin said.
NWC’s relationship with NWC-GOA dates back 70 years, with the first Indian Navy officer enrolling in NWC’s Naval Command College in 1964. Since then, seven Indian Navy Chiefs of Naval Staff have graduated from NWC, including NWC distinguished international fellow retired Adm. Nermal Virma, who also attended and participated in the conference.
NWC regional alumni symposia are co-hosted annually with regional partner navies and are open to all international and U.S. graduates of the college. These academic conferences reinforce the importance of lifelong, continuous learning and enduring relationships, intellectual exchange and collaboration between international maritime partners.
NWC delivers excellence in education, research, and outreach, informing today’s decision-makers and educating tomorrow’s leaders. The college provides educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop students’ ability to anticipate and prepare strategically for the future, strengthen the foundations of peace, and create a decisive warfighting advantage.