The Indian Navy successfully organised a seminar on ‘Impact of Cyber Attacks on Maritime Sector and Its Effects on National Security and International Relations’ at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, on 16 October 2025. The event aimed to deepen understanding of cyber threats in the maritime domain and enhance collaboration among key stakeholders to strengthen India’s national cybersecurity framework.

Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, welcomed Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology and Commerce & Industry, who served as the Chief Guest and delivered the keynote address. Prasada emphasised the growing importance of cybersecurity in protecting the maritime sector and the collective responsibility to build a robust and resilient cyber defence architecture.

In his address, Admiral Tripathi underlined the government’s focus on the maritime sector as central to India’s economic and security ambitions. Guided by the vision of ‘Samudra se Samriddhi’, India’s maritime progress is being shaped by initiatives such as the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, Sagarmala, and PM Gati Shakti. He stressed the need to integrate cybersecurity from the design stage of all maritime systems and to improve coordination and information sharing across stakeholders.

The seminar featured three high-level panel discussions led by experts from various ministries and organisations, including the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), CERT-In, NCIIPC, and the National Maritime Foundation (NMF). Leaders from the private sector also participated in discussions on global cyber threats, civil-military partnerships, and maritime critical information infrastructure.

Deliberations highlighted the need to recognise the maritime sector as an independent Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) due to its vital role in trade, defence, and energy supply chains.

A tech exhibition, organised in collaboration with the Data Security Council of India (DSCI), showcased indigenous innovations in cybersecurity and defence technologies developed by Indian startups. The exhibition reflected the nation’s focus on Aatmanirbharta and the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Key outcomes from the seminar included identifying vulnerabilities in the digital maritime ecosystem and formulating strategies to mitigate cyber risks, ensuring a more secure and resilient maritime infrastructure.

The Indian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing maritime cyber resilience, promoting collaboration between policymakers, industry experts, and technologists to safeguard India’s digital maritime future.