Indian Ocean

IOR maritime mechanism to be consensus-based: Navy Chief Dinesh Tripathi

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi on Saturday said that any proposed joint maritime mechanism in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) would be based on consensus among participating nations, assuring India's support for partner countries in capacity-building efforts. Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) 2026, Admiral Tripathi said the first session of the conclave involved discussions regarding enhanced cooperation among IOR nations, including the possibility of a joint task force-type arrangement. "The GMC is based on consensus. There has to be a consensus among all nations. All of us have different capabilities, so what everyone brings to the table has to be taken into consideration," he said. The Navy chief noted that the idea of closer operational cooperation was well accepted and said modalities of a joint task force would have to be worked out collectively. He highlighted a previous initiative, referring to Indian Ocean Ship (I

India assumes chairmanship of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium in Vizag

Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff on Friday announced that India has assumed the Chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), during the 9th Conclave of Chiefs being held here. He said India is prepared to take on greater responsibility to ensure peace, stability and security in maritime spaces as it assumes the leadership of the forum. "India has assumed the Chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium during the 9th Conclave of Chiefs being held here," Sobti told reporters. He noted that maritime challenges are shared across nations and require enhanced interoperability, structured communication mechanisms and coordinated responses among navies of the Indian Ocean Region. The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium is a voluntary initiative aimed at increasing maritime cooperation among navies of littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region. It provides an open and inclusive forum for discussion on regionally relevant maritime issues and seeks to promote t

From sonar to AI, acoustics is emerging as a decisive weapon of war

If US action in Venezuela and the Ukraine war are anything to go by, acoustics will not merely support military power in future wars - it will shape it

India a preferred partner in Indian Ocean region, says CDS Gen Chauhan

CDS emphasised that a nation's location and its geographic characteristics determine its ability to project power and provide strategic options, regardless of its size

Cyclone Montha makes landfall on Andhra coast, heavy rain in Odisha

Cyclone Montha set to make landfall near Kakinada; experts warn that warming seas and changing weather patterns are intensifying storms along India's east coast

Indian Air Force, Royal Navy conduct joint exercise over Indian Ocean

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Navy conducted a joint aerial exercise over the Indian Ocean Region on Tuesday.The exercise involved a range of frontline platforms, including the Indian Air Force's Sukhoi-30 MKIs, Jaguar fighter aircraft, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), and Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW & C) aircraft. From the Royal Navy, F-35B fighter jets operating from HMS Prince of Wales participated in the coordinated mission.Sharing details of the exercise, the Indian Air Force wrote on X, "On 14 Oct 25, IAF Sukhoi-30 MKIs, Jaguars, AWACS & AEW & C aircraft joined Royal Navy F-35Bs from HMS Prince of Wales for a joint exercise over the Indian Ocean Region. The training strengthened interoperability, mutual trust, and collective commitment to regional stability."In a related development, Indian defence officials have confirmed that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is preparing to extend the range of its Astra ..

Madagascar president says coup underway as soldiers join protests

An attempted coup is underway in the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar, the country's president said on Sunday. A statement from President Andry Rajoelina's office said it wishes to inform the nation and the international community that an attempt to seize power illegally and by force has been initiated. The statement did not immediately identify who was attempting to overthrow the government, but members of the armed forces joined youth-led protests against Rajoelina on Saturday. The protests against service failures and alleged government corruption and nepotism have been going on since Sept. 25.

India, UK launch eight-day mega naval exercise in Western Indian Ocean

The navies of India and the UK kick-started an eight-day mega wargame in the Western Indian Ocean in line with their focus to boost overall military ties. The UK's Carrier Strike Group (CSG), led by HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier, has been deployed for the Exercise Konkan. The exercise is a reaffirmation of the shared commitment to ensuring secure, open and free seas and will exemplify the "comprehensive strategic partnership" outlined in the India-UK Vision 2035, the Indian Navy said. The exercise is aimed at increasing combined maritime and air capabilities between the UK and Indian navies on the high seas. "The UK and India believe in an Indo-Pacific that is free and open. We share an ambition for a modern defence and security partnership, a fundamental pillar of UK-India Vision 2035, agreed by our prime ministers this year," Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India, said. "The engagements between the Carrier Strike Groups of our two navies demonstrate our ..

India pledges $680 mn package for Mauritius to boost trade, security

India pledged a $680 million package for Mauritius, including $25 million budgetary aid, to strengthen infrastructure, maritime security, and bilateral trade in local currencies

SpaceX Starship deploys 8 dummy satellites, splashes down in Indian Ocean

SpaceX launched the latest test of its mega rocket Starship on Tuesday night and completed the first-ever deployment of a test payload eight dummy satellites into space. After just over an hour coasting through space, Starship splashed down as planned in the Indian Ocean. Starship blasted off from Starbase, SpaceX's launch site in South Texas, just after 6:30 pm. It was the 10th test for the world's biggest and most powerful rocket, which SpaceX and NASA hope to use to get astronauts back on the moon. NASA has ordered two Starships to land astronauts on the moon later this decade, and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's ultimate goal is Mars. No crew members were aboard the demo launch. The test also included the successful return of the craft's Super Heavy Booster, which splashed down in the Atlantic after testing a landing-burn engine sequence. The Starship itself continued to orbit the Earth passing from daylight in Texas through night and back into daytime again ahead of the planned ..

Russia's Indian Ocean presence not significant, limited to exercises: MEA

MEA says US has significant presence in Indian Ocean via CMF, however Russia's role limited to joint exercises with partners

Back in the sun: Patient and constructive diplomacy pays off in Maldives

As the recent reset with Sri Lanka has demonstrated, mature responses to geopolitical pressures can be as effective as the exercise of hard power

India eyes stealth edge with new submarines amid China's growing presence

Advanced Project 75(I) seen as urgent amid China's growing presence in Indian Ocean

Best of BS Opinion: PLIs can't succeed without deeper structural reforms

Today's pieces span multiple issues, from overseas acquisitions by PSUs, PLI schemes' success, the proposed India-US BTA, and the debilitating effect of quality issues across sectors

India, ASEAN to develop cruise tourism in Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean

India will work with ASEAN to develop cruise tourism circuits in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Monday. Sonowal inaugurated first ever ASEAN-India Cruise Dialogue here on Monday, according to a statement. The meet hosted by India is being attended by all the member nations of ASEAN; i.e. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam along with Timor Leste. "India plans to work with ASEAN countries to develop cruise tourism and tourism circuits in the Bay of Bengal as well as the Indian Ocean region. "An integrated cruise network linking Indian ports with ASEAN destinations supported by real-time tracking and modern terminals is being envisaged, which will be deliberated in this meet," Sonowal said. The Ports, Shipping and Waterways minister also said India plans to professionalise 5,000 km of navigable waterways to enhance cruise connectivity with ASEAN nations. The ...