Narayana Murthy delivers Vice Admiral KK Nayyar Memorial Lecture on NMF’s 21st Foundation Day
New Delhi, February 17. The 2026 edition of the Vice Admiral KK Nayyar Memorial Lecture was held in New Delhi on February 16 to mark the 21st Foundation Day of the National Maritime Foundation (NMF), commemorating the legacy of Vice Admiral KK Nayyar and his pioneering contribution to India’s maritime strategic thought.
The annual lecture pays tribute to KK Nayyar, a distinguished naval officer and strategic thinker whose vision led to the establishment of the NMF as India’s premier institution for maritime research and policy advocacy. As the Foundation’s Founder-Chairman and a key figure in setting up the Vivekananda International Foundation, Nayyar played a crucial role in reviving maritime consciousness in India’s national discourse and addressing what he viewed as the country’s long-standing neglect of its maritime interests.
The event began with opening remarks by Admiral Karambir Singh, former Chief of the Naval Staff and Chairman of NMF. Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, delivered the keynote address, reflecting on Vice Admiral Nayyar’s enduring legacy and underscoring the importance of maritime awareness in India’s journey towards becoming a leading global power.
Admiral Tripathi described NMF as the country’s leading maritime think tank, contributing through research, publications and policy engagement to issues central to national security and economic growth. He highlighted the Indian Navy’s dual responsibility of “guardianship” in addressing present security challenges and “stewardship” in preparing for future strategic imperatives.
Pointing to India’s expanding maritime engagement, he noted that over 70 countries are expected to participate in the upcoming International Fleet Review. Many of these nations will also join the 13th edition of the MILAN multinational naval exercise and the 9th Conclave of Chiefs of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), during which India will assume the chairmanship of the IONS framework.
The memorial lecture was delivered by NR Narayana Murthy, founder of Infosys, on the theme ‘A Salute to a Life of Service’. Widely regarded for his leadership in the technology sector and advocacy of ethical entrepreneurship, Murthy spoke about the vital link between maritime strength and India’s ambition to become a developed nation by 2047.
He asserted that India’s destiny is closely tied to the seas, with the Indian Navy serving not only as a defender of the coastline but also as a guarantor of national security, a protector of maritime trade, and an enabler of the country’s global aspirations. Emphasising the growing role of technology in modern warfare, he highlighted the importance of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and cyber capabilities.
Murthy also praised the enduring values of the Navy – discipline, courage, teamwork, integrity and national pride – describing them as essential to India’s broader development goals.
The event was attended by senior serving and retired officers of the armed forces, members of the diplomatic community, academics, strategic experts, and family members and associates of Vice Admiral Nayyar.
The National Maritime Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Nayyar’s vision by fostering informed debate, strengthening maritime awareness and supporting sustainable and secure development of India’s maritime domain.
