New Delhi, Nov 4: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday asserted that the future of the Indo-Pacific region will not be determined solely by technology, but by how "wisely" nations use it and the level of "trust" they build in each other, IANS reported from his address at a special session of the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD)-2026 in New Delhi.

Source: IANS

Delivering the commemorative address at the IPRD, the Indian Navy's annual apex-level international strategic conference, Singh called for making inter-dependence among regional partners more secure and resilient through diversification of supply chains, reliable maritime infrastructure, enhanced maritime awareness and greater cooperation, amid growing strains in the global maritime security environment, according to the Press Information Bureau (PIB) release on the address.

Source: PIB release via JK Monitor

"Artificial intelligence is changing the way data is processed, while autonomous systems are expanding the possibilities of surveillance and operations. New sensors are improving our ability to observe the oceans," the Defence Minister said, according to the PIB release. "But technology, by itself, is not the answer. The more important question is how we use technology to address real challenges."

Singh warned that technology must not become another source of inequality among nations, as the Indo-Pacific includes countries with different levels of technological and economic capability. "If technological progress benefits only a limited number of countries, we will not achieve the collective resilience that our region requires," he said, calling for cooperation in research, education, innovation and capacity building.

Reaffirming India's commitment to an open, inclusive and rule-based maritime order, he highlighted the MAHASAGAR vision — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — and described the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, announced by PM Modi in 2019, as a practical framework for advancing maritime cooperation across seven interconnected areas. The Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, he said, offers the national roadmap, with emphasis on technology, innovation, research, education and skills.

The Hindu BusinessLine framed the address against the West Asia crisis and its impact on trade, reporting that Singh advocated supply chain diversification and greater regional cooperation as fundamental to stronger maritime inter-dependence. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan also addressed the dialogue, underlining the interconnected nature of the oceans and the disparities in scientific knowledge and technological capability across the region, India Strategic reported. The three-day IPRD 2026, organised by the Indian Navy in association with the National Maritime Foundation, began on November 3.

Source: The Hindu BusinessLine

Sources: IANS, Press Information Bureau (PIB) release via JK Monitor, The Hindu BusinessLine and India Strategic, all reporting on November 4, 2026.