Drawing from Prof Rieckmann’s concept of the “Dynaxic Challenge” — a challenge that is both dynamic and complex — the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, described the maritime domain as fundamentally dynaxic, where security and growth are not parallel pursuits but “twin propellers” driving collective peace and prosperity.
Addressing a gathering during the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2025 being held here on Tuesday, the CNS noted that disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and commercial satellites are rapidly transforming maritime awareness and response strategies.
Admiral Tripathi, however, cautioned that this technological wave also increases vulnerabilities, including cyber intrusions, signal spoofing, and electronic interference. In the Indian Ocean Region alone, recent IFC-IOR assessments have reported near-daily incidents of GPS jamming and electronic disruption.
Stating that across centuries, the seas have been humanity’s oldest highways – carrying not just commerce and culture, but curiosity and courage, Tripathi said in this turbulent era of fluid alignments and fused challenges, maritime security can no longer be viewed through the narrow prism of threat containment.
“Global seaborne trade is showing signs of strain due to conflicts, coercion, or catastrophe. According to a recent report, global seaborne trade growth is projected to stall to 0.5% in 2025 – a sharp drop from 2.2% in 2024. Such contraction does not merely indicate slowed commerce; it signals strategic fragility,” he said while elaborating on the “Dynaxic Challenge.
He further added that the seas are witnessing a surge in activities that blur the lines between competition, crime, and conflict. “Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, piracy, arms and narcotics trafficking, and human smuggling have emerged as major maritime stressors. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), IUU fishing activities are responsible for the loss of 11 to 26 million tonnes of fish each year, which is estimated to have an economic value of 10 to 23 billion USD,” he said.
“At the same time, smuggling networks are increasingly exploiting ungoverned maritime spaces and weak enforcement regimes to move narcotics, arms, and even sanctioned commodities, for financing terror networks and fuelling instability ashore. Rising sea levels, extreme weather and marine pollution have added a new dimension to transnational maritime challenges, threatening both lives and livelihoods, especially for Small Island Developing States (SIDS),” the CNS highlighted in his address.
Seeking a more interconnected and indispensable strategies as the seas grow more, the CNS said it was in this context that India elevated its maritime vision from SAGAR or Security and Growth for All in the Region, to MAHASAGAR or Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
He further stated that the maritime domain today faces pressures that are complex, interconnected, and continuous, demanding a shift from linear security models to a holistic approach that links deterrence, governance, law enforcement, environmental protection, and humanitarian response into a unified framework. “Emphasizing capacity building as a key pillar, the approach underscores the importance of tangible assets—ships, aircraft, ports, and logistics — but also calls for regional cooperation where nations pool strengths and offset shortfalls. Equally vital is capability enhancement, which extends beyond platforms to include doctrine, training, interoperability, and resilience,” he said
“True maritime strength lies in purpose-centric thinking, anticipating hybrid threats, empowering adaptable personnel, and ensuring that navies can operate seamlessly together when it matters most,” the CNS concluded his address.