A naval spokesman said the annual conference would continue until Friday. He said the conference deliberates upon major operational issues with regard to the defense of the nation's maritime interest, coastal security, defense of national assets at sea, naval strategy, its own operational and acquisition plans and the course corrections required to remain relevant with The Times.

He said the conference would also focus on maintaining synergy between Army and Air Force.

"The maritime security environment in the Indian Ocean Region has become more complex, fluid and significantly more volatile," he said.