Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, declared that Indian warships are now operating as far as the South China Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic Ocean, asserting that the Indian Navy has firmly established itself as a credible blue-water force with truly global reach. The remarks came at the second edition of the Indian Navy's biannual Commanders' Conference 2026, held at Nausena Bhawan in New Delhi.

Key Developments at Commanders' Conference 2026

The three-day apex-level conference, running from 29 September to 1 October 2026, brings together the top leadership of the Indian Navy to review operational preparedness, maritime security, and future capability development. Singh also interacted with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Chief of Army Staff on the sidelines of the event.

Addressing senior commanders, Singh called for a significant upgrade of India's maritime surveillance architecture, acknowledging the growing volume and complexity of maritime traffic. 'Today, issues such as congestion, deception, and grey-zone activities have made our maritime domain far more complex than ever before. Hence, we must elevate our monitoring and response mechanisms to a new level,' he said.

Navy as Strategic Anchor for Viksit Bharat 2047

Singh positioned the Navy as central to India's long-term national ambitions. 'The Indian Navy serves as a strategic anchor in the vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047'. Beyond merely guarding maritime boundaries, our Navy strengthens economic protection, regional stability, and power projection,' he said.

He reiterated the government's commitment to naval modernisation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the force to maintain 'unrelenting momentum' in transforming into a 'future-ready, combat-ready, and globally respected force.'

Operation Urja Suraksha and Energy Security

Singh specifically highlighted the Navy's role in safeguarding Indian energy interests during the ongoing crisis in West Asia, praising Operation Urja Suraksha — which ensured the safe transit of Indian-flagged merchant vessels, particularly LPG tankers, through the Strait of Hormuz — as an 'outstanding achievement.'

The stakes are significant: India imports approximately 85–90 per cent of its crude oil and around 50 per cent of its natural gas through maritime routes, making sea-lane security directly linked to the country's economy, energy supplies, and defence preparedness.

Indigenous Warship Production Hits Global Benchmarks

Singh also underscored the Navy's strides in self-reliance under India's Atmanirbhar Bharat drive. 'The Indian Navy's warship production ecosystem is now meeting global benchmarks. The warships commissioned recently contain over 75 per cent indigenous content. In the times ahead, we must not only meet our own requirements but also export our warships to friendly foreign nations,' he said.

Notably, this ambition to export warships marks a qualitative shift in India's defence posture — from buyer to potential supplier — at a time when regional navies are actively expanding their fleets.

India as First Responder in the Indian Ocean Region

'India stands firm as the First Responder, Preferred Security Partner, and as a symbol of trust and reliability in the Indian Ocean Region, and the entire world is witnessing the growth of both our strategic position and our strategic responsibility in the region,' Singh added.

This comes amid heightened competition in the Indo-Pacific, with China's naval footprint expanding across the Indian Ocean Region and peer navies sharpening their presence along critical trade routes. With the next edition of the Commanders' Conference due in two years, the outcomes of this gathering are expected to shape the Indian Navy's capability roadmap through the end of the decade.