13th Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference
The 13th Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference (IPACC) was held from 26th to 27th at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, to be hosted by both the Indian Army and US Army Pacific. The two-day conference was attended by 30 Indo-Pacific service chiefs and discussed security cooperation and collective strategies in the Indo-Pacific region.
In the inauguration of the conference, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh called upon all the friendly countries of the Indo-Pacific region to strengthen military partnership. He said that this effort by India will not only protect our national interests, but will also enable all of us to make collective efforts to tackle the important global challenges that lie ahead.
Objective of IPACC
The main objective of this conference is to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through friendship and dialogue. Addressing the program, India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that 'Neighbourhood First' has been the cornerstone of our culture since ancient times. India's approach towards the region is defined by its 'Act East Policy'
India's defense export targets:
India has set an ambitious defense export target of Rs 35,000 crore by 2024-25, reflecting the country's growing capabilities in defense manufacturing. Export figures have increased significantly, while imports have declined due to policy initiatives and reforms.
Highlights of Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference
- US Army Chief of Staff General James C McConville will co-host the conference with Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pandey.
- Two other conferences, the Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS) and the Senior Enlisted Leaders Forum (SELF) to promote multilateral security partnerships in the region, will also be held separately at the Manekshaw Centre.
- During the curtain raiser press conference, Vice Army Chief Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar highlighted India's historic contribution in promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Key topics to be discussed during the conference include the role of military diplomacy in crisis mitigation, enhancing cooperation and interoperability and the importance of self-reliance for modern armies.
- The Indo-Pacific region is known for its importance, as it covers 64 percent of the world's population, contributes 63 percent to global GDP and accounts for 46 percent of world merchandise trade.