About us

Aerial view of Goa coastline and waterways

Overview

The Indian Naval Despatch Foundation (INDEF) has been established as a Section 8 Company under the Companies Act 2013, to promote research and awareness in maritime domain among policy makers, strategic community, think tanks, intelligentsia, economists, educationists, security analysts, private institutions, media and general public at large and provide constructive inputs for policy formulation. This would also be achieved through publications of Indian Naval Despatch, the Flagship Journal of the Indian Navy, and utilisation of other suitable media.

Mission

Promote knowledge, awareness and understanding of naval, defence and maritime security issues, through suitable research and education activities. Support the Indian Navy's Professional Military Education programmes, by undertaking studies, fostering critical thinking, and guiding research on the maritime strategic environment, events, issues and trends affecting maritime security, maritime technological developments, and maritime law, commerce and history, in concert with the Naval War College, Goa and other Indian Naval institutions.

Vision

To promote research and awareness in maritime domain among policy makers, strategic community, think tanks, intelligentsia, economists, educationists, security analysts, private institutions, media and general public at large and provide constructive inputs for policy formulation.

Current Editors

Monty Khanna

Rear Admiral (Retd.) and Chief Editor

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Anshuman Chatterjee

Captain (Retd.) Sub Editor

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Danisha J. Fernandes

Sub Editor II

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Previous Editors

Sudarshan Shrikhande

Rear Admiral (Retd.) and Chief Editor

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Rikeesh Sharma

Captain (Retd.) Sub Editor

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Himadri Das

Captain Sub Editor & Coordinator

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Raison D'etre

A Section 8 Company titled, "INDIAN NAVAL DESPATCH FOUNDATION (INDEF)," with its registered office situated in Goa, India, has been established on 16 September 2021. The INDEF has been set up with the following objectives:

To promote knowledge, awareness and understanding of naval, defence and maritime security issues, through suitable research and education activities.
To support the Indian Navy's Professional Military Education programmes, by undertaking studies, fostering critical thinking, and guiding research on the maritime strategic environment, events, issues and trends affecting maritime security, maritime technological developments, and maritime law, commerce and history, in concert with the Naval War College, Goa and other Indian Naval institutions.
To study the various issues affecting the continuing development of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and fostering of a favourable and positive maritime strategic environment in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
To support the Indian Navy's efforts towards developing shared maritime awareness and understanding of issues affecting maritime security in the broader Indo-Pacific region, by undertaking and collaborating on studies, research programmes and educational activities promoting regional maritime cooperation.
To encourage maritime studies on issues affecting development of the maritime economy, including blue economy, maritime infrastructure, marine ecology, maritime trade and shipping, fishing, hydrography, oceanography, etc., in cooperation with suitable national and international institutions.