Overview
- The defence minister, speaking at the Indo‑Pacific Regional Dialogue on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, warned that deliberate trade disruptions, limits on freedom of navigation and the weaponisation of narrow sea passages are straining the maritime order.
- He said advances in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and advanced sensors are transforming maritime surveillance and operations but stressed that technology alone cannot secure the region.
- Singh called for joint technological and operational efforts that include capacity building for less advanced states to prevent technology from becoming a source of inequality.
- India pointed to its Indo‑Pacific Oceans Initiative and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 as practical roadmaps to deepen cooperation, diversify supply chains and protect undersea infrastructure such as fibre‑optic cables.
- If states follow India’s proposal for shared tech, capacity building and supply‑chain resilience the likely effects are tighter regional cooperation and reduced risk to trade, communications and coastal livelihoods.