An international conference focusing on security, economic, and environmental challenges in the Indian Ocean Region is set to take place this February, bringing together leading policymakers, diplomats, and experts from across the world.

The Pathfinder Foundation will host the 4th Pathfinder Indian Ocean Security Conference on 17 and 18 February 2026. The event will gather diplomats, policymakers, strategic thinkers, academics, and practitioners to discuss emerging issues shaping the future of the Indian Ocean Region.

Keynote Address by Prof. Nobukatsu Kanehara

Professor Nobukatsu Kanehara of Reitaku University, Japan, will deliver the keynote address at the conference. He currently serves as Executive Director of The Sasakawa Peace Foundation and previously held the position of Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Conference Co-Chairs

The conference will be co-chaired by Ambassador Shivshankar Menon, former National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of India, and Ambassador Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman of the Pathfinder Foundation.

Platform for Strategic Dialogue

Organised by the Pathfinder Foundation, an independent and non-partisan think tank known for its action-oriented policy research, the biennial conference has developed into an important platform for strategic dialogue.

The event functions as a trusted Track 1.5 and Track II forum, promoting open discussions on strategic and security issues affecting Sri Lanka, South Asia, and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Background of the Conference Series

The Pathfinder Indian Ocean Security Conference series was launched in 2020 based on the principles of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific concept. Since its inception, the forum has grown into a recognised platform for discussions on maritime security, governance, and regional cooperation across the Indian Ocean Region.

Previous conferences were held virtually in 2020 and 2022, while the 2024 edition adopted a hybrid format.

Participation from Across the Region

Participants are expected from member states of the Indian Ocean Rim Association, dialogue partners, major maritime nations, and international experts and stakeholders.

Key Discussion Themes

The conference will focus on several major themes shaping the strategic environment of the Indian Ocean Region. These include competition over connectivity corridors such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, the growing importance of digital maritime silk routes including submarine cables and data security, strategic competition over seabed minerals, and the impacts of climate change, migration, and human security.

Experts and policymakers will examine how rising geopolitical competition, technological transformation, energy transitions, and climate-related pressures are reshaping the region’s security landscape. The discussions will also explore potential pathways for cooperation, resilience, and inclusive development.

Hybrid Format and Public Access

The conference will be held in a hybrid format, allowing participants and observers to follow the proceedings online. The streaming link will be available through the Pathfinder Foundation’s social media platforms.

Following the conference, a comprehensive report summarising the discussions and policy recommendations will be shared with policymakers and stakeholders and will also be made publicly available on the Pathfinder Foundation’s website.

Reports from previous editions of the conference are available on the organisation’s official publications page.