Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the importance of PM Modi’s Indo-Pacific doctrine, emphasizing principles like mutual respect, dialogue, cooperation, peace, and prosperity. He also praised the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration as a success.
Addressing the complex security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region, Singh acknowledged that it has evolved into a critical geopolitical area, characterized by multifaceted security challenges, including boundary disputes and piracy.
During the conference, Singh stressed the importance of addressing climate change-related concerns faced by smaller nations in the Indo-Pacific region. He reiterated that the Indo-Pacific’s significance extends beyond maritime trade and communication routes, encompassing broader political, security, and diplomatic dimensions.
The conference, one of the largest gatherings of land forces in the region, aims to foster peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific through mutual understanding, dialogue, and camaraderie. This year’s theme, “Together for Peace: Sustaining Peace and Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region,” was highlighted by Army Chief General Maoj Pande in his inaugural address.
General Pande underscored the concept of a secure, stable, free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, emphasizing the region’s geopolitical and geo-economic importance. He noted that the Indo-Pacific region accounts for a substantial portion of the world’s population, GDP, merchandise market, and maritime trade.
The conference’s history reflects its growing international prominence, with participation expanding from nine nations at the inaugural event in 1977 to 31 nations in 2017. IPACC, co-hosted by the United States Army and the hosting nation, now convenes biennially and remains the longest-running land forces conference.
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