Andaman & Nicobar Command hosts Third Dweep Diksha Dialogue on India’s Indo-Pacific strategy
New Delhi, September 21. The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), India’s only operational joint services command, hosted the third edition of the Dweep Diksha Dialogue on September 19-20 at Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The two-day conference, themed ‘Evolution of ANC as a Strategic Hub and Beyond’, brought together senior military leaders, diplomats, academics, media representatives and strategic experts to deliberate on India’s maritime posture in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.
The dialogue featured keynote addresses by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, ANC Commander-in-Chief Lt Gen Dinesh Singh Rana, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands Lieutenant Governor Admiral DK Joshi. Participants discussed issues ranging from future-ready operational concepts and cognitive and cyber warfare to strategic signalling and India’s role as a preferred security partner in the Indo-Pacific.
Among the distinguished attendees were Admiral Arun Prakash (Retd), former Chief of Naval Staff and the first CINCAN; former CINCAN Lt Gen Ajai Singh (Retd); Rear Admiral Monty Khanna (Retd); Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Strategic) Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai; and Vice Admiral Anil Chawla (Retd).
Instituted in 2023, the Dweep Diksha Dialogue has grown into a premier strategic forum that underscores the ANC’s transformation from a remote outpost into a vital operational and intellectual hub. This year’s edition highlighted the rising importance of multi-domain warfare, grey-zone strategies and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.
Beyond formal discussions, the event provided a platform for serving officers, veterans, and analysts to share perspectives on regional challenges, joint-service cooperation, and the future trajectory of India’s defence capabilities.
By hosting such engagements, the ANC is strengthening its role as a decisive anchor for India’s national interests in the IOR and shaping the country’s long-term maritime and security strategy.