𝐃𝐚𝐲 2 | 7𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 (𝐄𝐀𝐒) 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧  𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐕: 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬  Day 2 of the conference started with a session which examined the need to move beyond capacity-building towards actionable capability enhancement and regional cooperation to address evolving transboundary maritime challenges. The session was moderated by Vice Admiral Ashok G Kumar SSA (Retd.), Former National Maritime Security Coordinator, India.  The session featured:  🔹 Prof. Bradley Jensen Murg, Professor and Provost, SGS Paragon International University and Senior Fellow, CICP, Cambodia- highlighted the importance of strengthening existing regional mechanisms, conducting multi-agency exercises, building legal capacity, enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), and measuring outcomes rather than inputs.  🔹 Cmde Sujeet Samaddar (@sujeetsamaddar ), Visiting Fellow, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) (@RIS_NewDelhi ), India- emphasised the distinction between cooperation and collaboration, advocating a graded, outcome-driven approach to information sharing, joint capability development, and institutional mechanisms.  🔹 Mr. Kyaw Nyunt Lwin, Executive Member, Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies (MISIS) (@MyanmarISIS ) , Myanmar- highlighted Myanmar’s maritime priorities, including combating IUU fishing, trafficking and illicit maritime activities, strengthening MDA, and enhancing regional cooperation for sustainable blue economy and maritime security.  🔹 Dr. Tran My Hai Loc, Vice Dean, Faculty of International Relations, UEF - Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance, Vietnam- underscored the importance of security, ocean environmental protection, operational data sharing and UNCLOS as foundations for building trust and practical regional maritime cooperation.  The moderator, in his concluding remarks, emphasised that maritime threats are inherently transnational and therefore require a multinational approach, including stronger MDA networks, multi-agency exercises, information sharing on maritime crimes, joint operations, capacity-sharing, cooperation and greater focus on non-traditional maritime security threats. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬. @SKSharma_World @cmec_ris @MEAIndia @AusHCIndia @nmfindia @ASEAN @China_Amb_India @NZinIndia @dfat @NSCPhil @indiatoasean @indembmanila @HCICanberra @IndiainNZ @EOIBeijing @hcikl @IndianEmbJkt @HCIBrunei @PV_Chat @DakshinNews #EAS #MaritimeSecurity #RegionalCooperation #MaritimeDomainAwareness #CapacityBuilding #IndoPacific

𝐃𝐚𝐲 2 | 7𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 (𝐄𝐀𝐒) 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧  𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐕: 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬  The last session examined emerging challenges shaping the maritime security environment, including undersea infrastructure, autonomous systems, cyber threats, supply-chain disruptions, shadow fleets and grey-zone activities. The session was moderated by Dr Sacha Blumen, Director, Southeast Asia Strategy and Maritime Security Branch, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (@dfat ) The session featured:  🔹 Capt. Ranendra S. Sawan, IN, Senior Fellow, National Maritime Foundation- NMF (@nmfindia ), India- highlighted the growing vulnerabilities across maritime supply chains and critical infrastructure, emphasising stronger regional information-sharing, protection of undersea cables, faster regional response mechanisms and enhanced Maritime Domain Awareness.  🔹 Dr. Sinderpal Singh (@sinder32 ), Senior Fellow, RSIS | S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore- underscored the challenges posed by autonomous underwater systems, critical undersea infrastructure and cyber/electronic interference. He called for stronger cooperation between governments, infrastructure operators and technology providers, alongside exercises addressing ambiguous maritime incidents.  🔹 Dr. Rahul Mishra (@rahulmishr_ ), Associate Professor, Centre for Indo-Pacific Studies, JNU (@JNU_official_50 ), India- highlighted the need to bridge regional capability, strengthen information-sharing, address emerging technological threats, safeguard seafarers, and develop inclusive, region-wide mechanisms for maritime security cooperation and capacity-building.  𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. @SKSharma_World @cmec_ris @MEAIndia @AusHCIndia @nmfindia @ASEAN @China_Amb_India @NZinIndia @dfat @NSCPhil @indiatoasean @indembmanila @HCICanberra @IndiainNZ @EOIBeijing @hcikl @IndianEmbJkt @HCIBrunei @PV_Chat @DakshinNews #EAS #MaritimeSecurity #RegionalCooperation #MaritimeDomainAwareness #CapacityBuilding #IndoPacific

𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 7𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 (𝐄𝐀𝐒) 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 The conference concluded on a high note with the Valedictory Address delivered by Dr Thelma John David, Joint Secretary (Indo-Pacific), Ministry of External Affairs (@MEAIndia ), Government of India followed by the Vote of Thanks by Dr. Pankaj Vashisht (@PV_Chat ), Coordinator, AIC, RIS. The 7th EAS Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation concluded with a strong reaffirmation that 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝. The discussions highlighted the importance of Maritime Domain Awareness, interoperability, capacity and capability building, trust, and international law, as well as the sustainable use of our oceans and the protection of seafarers and coastal communities. @SKSharma_World @cmec_ris @AusHCIndia @nmfindia @ASEAN @China_Amb_India @NZinIndia @dfat @NSCPhil @indiatoasean @indembmanila @HCICanberra @IndiainNZ @EOIBeijing @hcikl @IndianEmbJkt @HCIBrunei @DakshinNews #EAS #MaritimeSecurity #RegionalCooperation #MaritimeDomainAwareness #CapacityBuilding #IndoPacific

7𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐀𝐒 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧  𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈 | 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭   The first thematic session of the conference focused on the growing significance of the blue economy, ocean governance and maritime connectivity in strengthening regional prosperity and security.  The session was moderated by Dr. Sanjeev Ranjan, Former Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, who highlighted the close linkages between economic security, maritime connectivity, resilient supply chains and maritime security, while emphasising the importance of green and sustainable shipping.  The session featured:  🔹 Dr. Grinson George, Director, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) (@ICAR_CMFRI ), Kochi – highlighted sustainable fisheries, marine resources, climate resilience, technology and capacity building as key pillars of a sustainable blue economy.  🔹 Dr. ADRIANI KUSUMAWARDANI, Senior Policy Analyst, CMIRD (@KemenkoInfra ) Indonesia – presented Indonesia’s approach to transitioning towards a sustainable blue economy through stronger ocean governance, spatial planning, sustainable fisheries, blue finance and regional cooperation.  🔹 Cdr (Dr) P. K. Shrivastava, IN (Retd), Scientist G, Ministry of Earth Sciences (@moesgoi ) , Government of India – emphasized India’s blue economy approach and highlighted the need for integrated ocean governance, sustainable use of marine resources, spatial planning, ocean accounting and regional frameworks for responsible development.  Lastly, Dr. Sanjeev Ranjan – underscored the importance of resilient maritime transport and supply chains, green shipping, sustainable ports and greater use of coastal and inland waterways. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲. @SKSharma_World @cmec_ris @RIS_NewDelhi @MEAIndia @AusHCIndia @nmfindia @ASEAN @China_Amb_India @NZinIndia @dfat @NSCPhil @indiatoasean @indembmanila @HCICanberra @IndiainNZ @EOIBeijing @hcikl @IndianEmbJkt @HCIBrunei @PV_Chat @DakshinNews #EAS #MaritimeSecurity #BlueEconomy #OceanGovernance #IndoPacific #MaritimeCooperation #SustainableShipping

7𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐀𝐒 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧  𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐈𝐈 | 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠  The session was moderated by Cmde Manish Sinha, Senior Fellow and Director (Training and Education), National Maritime Foundation- NMF (@nmfindia ) , India, and focused on strengthening Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), regional information-sharing mechanisms, technological integration and institutional cooperation to enhance maritime security across the Indo-Pacific.  The session featured:  🔹 Capt Sachin Kumar Singh, IN, Director, Information Fusion Centre- Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR)(@IFC_IOR ) , India- highlighted the importance of timely and reliable information sharing in building a common maritime operational picture. He outlined the role of IFC-IOR in maritime domain awareness, regional coordination, capacity building and operational responses, emphasizing trust, collaboration and information fusion among maritime stakeholders.  🔹 Dr. Mohammad Zaki Ahmad, Associate Professor and Director, Asian Institute of International Affairs and Diplomacy, Universiti Utara Malaysia (@uumnews ) - examined the role of Maritime domain awareness in addressing Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, highlighting the importance of data fusion, cross-border information sharing, interoperability and coordinated enforcement to protect marine resources and strengthen maritime governance.  🔹 Lt Col Amandeep (AD) Singh (Retd), Former Director, Ministry of Defence, Government of India- highlighted the growing role of technology, satellite-based surveillance, AI-driven analytics and integrated information-sharing networks in advancing Maritime awareness domain. He emphasized regional trust, institutional interoperability and multilateral cooperation as key to developing a more connected and responsive maritime security architecture.  The session underscored that the effectiveness of maritime domain awareness lies not only in seeing more, but in sharing information, building trust and translating shared awareness into coordinated action. @SKSharma_World @cmec_ris @RIS_NewDelhi @MEAIndia @AusHCIndia @nmfindia @ASEAN @China_Amb_India @NZinIndia @dfat @NSCPhil @indiatoasean @indembmanila @HCICanberra @IndiainNZ @EOIBeijing @hcikl @IndianEmbJkt @HCIBrunei @PV_Chat @DakshinNews #EAS2026 #MaritimeSecurity #MaritimeCooperation #IndoPacific #UNCLOS #RegionalCooperation

7𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐀𝐒 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧  𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐈 | 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 The session was moderated by Attorney Marco Angelo Felix Lopez, Director, Division 2 (Ocean Governance, Shipping, and Seafaring) Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office, Department of Foreign Affairs (@DFAPHL ), Philippines. The session focused on strengthening regional cooperation and confidence-building among naval, coast guard and maritime law enforcement agencies, with emphasis on UNCLOS, maritime safety, illicit maritime activities, piracy, natural disasters and climate-related security challenges. 🔹Attorney Freddy G. Ganchoon, Senior State Counsel, Department of Justice(@dojphofficial ) , Philippines, highlighted the Philippine Coast Guard’s role in maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, maritime domain awareness, environmental protection and capacity building, stressing stronger regional cooperation, information sharing and interoperability. 🔹Vice Admiral M. P. Muralidharan, Former Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, India- underscored the strategic importance of the maritime domain and the complexity of contemporary maritime security challenges. He highlighted bilateral and multilateral exercises, dialogues and symposiums as important avenues for strengthening cooperation and interoperability. 🔹Yvonne Carroll, Director India, North & South Asia Branch, International Policy Division, Australian Department of Defence (@DefenceAust ) , Australia- highlighted Australia’s whole-of-government approach to maritime security, emphasizing sustained engagement, shared awareness, professional relationships and habits of cooperation. She also underscored the importance of Australia–India maritime cooperation and regional partnerships. 🔹Dr. Sanjay Pulipaka (@psanjay_in ), Chairperson, Politeria Research Foundation (@PRFWorld ), India- emphasized the importance of maritime security, freedom of navigation and adherence to UNCLOS, highlighting institutional cooperation and regional platforms as essential to strengthening collective resilience and promoting a rules-based international order. @SKSharma_World @cmec_ris @RIS_NewDelhi @MEAIndia @AusHCIndia @nmfindia @ASEAN @China_Amb_India @NZinIndia @dfat @NSCPhil @indiatoasean @indembmanila @HCICanberra @IndiainNZ @EOIBeijing @hcikl @IndianEmbJkt @HCIBrunei @PV_Chat @DakshinNews #EAS2026 #MaritimeSecurity #MaritimeCooperation #IndoPacific #UNCLOS #RegionalCooperation

| 𝐈𝐧𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 7th EAS Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation The 7𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐀𝐒 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐢, bringing together policymakers, practitioners, experts and scholars from across the EAS region.  The inaugural session featured remarks from: Dr. Pankaj Vashisht ( @PV_Chat ) , Associate Professor and Coordinator, ASEAN-India Centre (AIC), RIS;  Prof. Sachin Kumar Sharma (@SKSharma_World ) , Director General, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) ( @RIS_NewDelhi ) ; Cmde Manish Sinha, Senior Fellow and Director (Training and Education), National Maritime Foundation- NMF ( @nmfindia );  Dr. Sacha Blumen, Director, Southeast Asia Strategy and Maritime Security Branch, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ( @dfat ) ; Major General Nestor C. Herico, PN (M) (Ret), Deputy Director General National Security Council of the Philippines ( @NSCPhil ); Dr Thelma John David, Joint Secretary (Indo-Pacific), Ministry of External Affairs ( @MEAIndia ), Government of India  Key highlights of the session included the need for stronger maritime domain awareness, information sharing, capacity building and practical cooperation; addressing emerging challenges such as critical undersea infrastructure, IUU fishing, climate change, marine pollution and emerging technologies; and freedom of navigation and respect for sovereignty. The session highlighted 𝐚 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧, 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞. @cmec_ris @AusHCIndia @ASEAN @China_Amb_India @NZinIndia @indiatoasean @indembmanila @HCICanberra @IndiainNZ @EOIBeijing @hcikl @IndianEmbJkt @HCIBrunei @DakshinNews #EAS2026 #MaritimeSecurity #IndoPacific #MaritimeCooperation #ASEANIndia #IORA

| Inaugural Session | 7th EAS Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation Prof. Sachin Kumar Sharma (@SKSharma_World ), DG @RIS_NewDelhi , in his welcome remarks, extended a warm greeting to the co-hosts, distinguished delegates, experts, colleagues and participants from across the EAS region, expressing his appreciation for their presence and valuable participation in the conference. Prof. Sharma highlighted the importance of the maritime domain for Indo-Pacific prosperity, including trade, livelihoods, food security and sustainable development, amid evolving challenges such as climate change, technology and connectivity. He emphasised the EAS Conference’s role in fostering dialogue, trust, information sharing and practical cooperation, with discussions spanning the blue economy, maritime security, Maritime Domain Awareness, capacity building and emerging challenges. He called for practical, inclusive and sustained cooperation, with greater trust, information sharing and collective capacity to address emerging maritime challenges across the region. @SKSharma_World @cmec_ris @RIS_NewDelhi @MEAIndia @AusHCIndia @nmfindia @ASEAN @China_Amb_India @NZinIndia @dfat @NSCPhil @indiatoasean @indembmanila @HCICanberra @IndiainNZ @EOIBeijing @hcikl @IndianEmbJkt @HCIBrunei #EAS #MaritimeSecurity #MaritimeCooperation #IndoPacific #Kochi

|𝐈𝐧𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 7th EAS Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation 𝐓𝐡𝐞 7𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 (𝐄𝐀𝐒) 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐢 was honoured to have Dr Thelma John David, Joint Secretary (Indo-Pacific), Ministry of External Affairs (@MEAIndia ), Government of India, to deliver the keynote address.  Dr. David highlighted the vital link between maritime security, economic prosperity and regional cooperation. She further outlined India’s key initiatives, including MAHASAGAR, Maritime India Vision 2030, and the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), while highlighting India’s expanding maritime cooperation with ASEAN through exercises, capacity-building initiatives and regional forums. She also reaffirmed India’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and highlighted the significance of India’s IORA Chairship for 2025–27 in strengthening regional cooperation.  𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞: 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐮𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲. @SKSharma_World @cmec_ris @RIS_NewDelhi @MEAIndia @AusHCIndia @nmfindia @ASEAN @China_Amb_India @NZinIndia @dfat @NSCPhil @indiatoasean @indembmanila @HCICanberra @IndiainNZ @EOIBeijing @hcikl @IndianEmbJkt @HCIBrunei @PV_Chat @DakshinNews #EAS2026 #MaritimeSecurity #IndoPacific #MaritimeCooperation #ASEANIndia #IORA

| 𝐈𝐧𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 7th EAS Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐂. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐨, 𝐏𝐍 (𝐌) (𝐑𝐞𝐭), 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥, National Security Council of the Philippines (@NSCPhil ), highlighted the strategic importance of maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, underscoring that the region’s waters should serve as bridges connecting nations. He emphasized the Philippines’ priorities as an archipelagic and maritime nation, including safeguarding maritime entitlements, protecting critical undersea infrastructure and marine ecosystems, and promoting the rights and welfare of Philippine seafarers. He noted that the Indo-Pacific faces increasingly complex traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges and there is a need for greater cooperation. In furtherance of that, he also highlighted recent ASEAN initiatives, including the ASEAN Coast Guard Forum and efforts to advance the ASEAN Single Shipping Market to strengthen regional maritime connectivity and support more seamless, efficient, and competitive maritime transport services across the region. 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬, 𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. @SKSharma_World @cmec_ris @RIS_NewDelhi @MEAIndia @AusHCIndia @nmfindia @ASEAN @China_Amb_India @NZinIndia @dfat @NSCPhil @indiatoasean @indembmanila @HCICanberra @IndiainNZ @EOIBeijing @hcikl @IndianEmbJkt @HCIBrunei @PV_Chat #EAS #MaritimeSecurity #MaritimeCooperation #IndoPacific #Kochi

| Inaugural Session | 7th EAS Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation In the remarks by Dr Sacha Blumen, Director, Southeast Asia Strategy and Maritime Branch, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (@dfat ), he underscored the importance of collective action in addressing the evolving maritime security challenges of the Indo-Pacific. He emphasized that the maritime domain is central to regional prosperity, sustaining trade, connecting societies and supporting the livelihoods of millions across the region.  He highlighted Australia’s vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, stressing respect for sovereignty, open sea lanes and a rules-based maritime order. He called for stronger regional cooperation to address strategic competition, IUU fishing, climate change, marine pollution and emerging technologies, reaffirming Australia’s commitment to working with ASEAN and EAS partners through confidence-building, maritime domain awareness and capacity building.  𝐇𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐨-𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜. @SKSharma_World @cmec_ris @RIS_NewDelhi @MEAIndia @AusHCIndia @nmfindia @ASEAN @China_Amb_India @NZinIndia @dfat @NSCPhil @indiatoasean @indembmanila @HCICanberra @IndiainNZ @EOIBeijing @hcikl @IndianEmbJkt @HCIBrunei @PV_Chat #EAS #MaritimeSecurity #MaritimeCooperation #IndoPacific #Kochi

| Inaugural Session | 7th EAS Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation Cmde Manish Sinha, Senior Fellow & Director (Training & Education), National Maritime Foundation (@nmfindia ), highlighted the evolving maritime security landscape, drawing attention to vulnerable chokepoints, challenges to international law, critical undersea infrastructure and emerging technologies. He emphasised the need for a long-term, holistic and multidisciplinary approach to maritime security, supported by maritime domain awareness, capacity building and capability enhancement. He underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and practical cooperation among EAS countries to address shared maritime challenges and strengthen regional resilience. @SKSharma_World @cmec_ris @RIS_NewDelhi @MEAIndia @AusHCIndia @nmfindia @ASEAN @China_Amb_India @NZinIndia @dfat @NSCPhil @indiatoasean @indembmanila @HCICanberra @IndiainNZ @EOIBeijing @hcikl @IndianEmbJkt @HCIBrunei @PV_Chat #EAS #MaritimeSecurity #MaritimeCooperation #IndoPacific #Kochi

🌊 Happening Tomorrow! The 7th EAS Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation is happening tomorrow, 5–6 October 2026, in Kochi. Looking forward to two days of meaningful discussions, exchange of ideas, and conversations on maritime security and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. To join this timely conference, please register at: cognitoforms.com/RIS12/Seven… @PV_Chat @RIS_NewDelhi @cmec_ris #EAS #MaritimeSecurity #MaritimeCooperation #IndoPacific #Kochi