India moved a step closer toward long-awaited military theaterisation with the release of the Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025, a comprehensive guidance document unveiled by Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi on Tuesday in New Delhi. The updated doctrine—the fourth major edition since its inception—places unprecedented emphasis on jointness, interoperability, and multi-domain preparedness across the armed forces.

First issued in 2004 and updated in 2009 and 2015, the Indian Maritime Doctrine serves as the apex document shaping the Navy’s strategic vision, operational priorities, and role in national security. The 2025 edition arrives at a pivotal moment: India is navigating a rapidly evolving maritime environment, intensifying geopolitical competition, and ongoing internal discussions over theaterisation—a structural reform that would unify the Army, Navy, and Air Force under integrated theatre commands.

Jointness as the Core Priority

The 2025 doctrine places jointmanship at the heart of naval operations. According to the Navy’s official statement, the latest version “aligns with tri-service joint doctrines” to ensure seamless interoperability across the military. This alignment builds on recent doctrinal advancements: in the past year, India has released joint doctrines for special forces operations, airborne and heliborne missions, and multi-domain operations—all seen as essential components for integrated warfighting.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh, in remarks delivered earlier in September, had stressed that jointness cannot be achieved through structural changes alone. He underscored the necessity of a mindset shift, explaining that genuine integration requires moving beyond service-specific silos. Echoing this, Admiral Tripathi reiterated that acceptance of cross-service perspectives has grown significantly in the last decade and that the services are actively responding to the government’s directives on integration.

Clarifying the Conflict Spectrum: ‘No-War, No-Peace’

For the first time, the doctrine formalises ‘no-war, no-peace’ as a distinct and critical category between peace and full-fledged conflict. This reflects the contemporary reality of prolonged standoffs, coercive tactics, and grey-zone activities—patterns seen globally and in India’s extended neighbourhood.

By recognising this intermediate state, the Navy aims to better structure its preparations, deploy resources effectively, and sharpen its response strategies for ambiguous, non-traditional threats.

Theaterisation: Progress Amid Differences

The doctrine arrives while the three services continue to navigate differences over theaterisation. The reform envisions placing tri-service units under integrated theatre commanders—officers who could come from the Army, Navy, or Air Force depending on mission profiles.

While the Army and Navy broadly support the structural transformation, the Air Force has expressed reservations, particularly the concern that air power—given its mobility and versatility—should not be tied down to rigid theatre boundaries. These debates are ongoing, and the new doctrine aims to strengthen the foundational principles required for eventual integration.

Adapting to Modern Threats and Technological Change

The Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025 acknowledges that India’s maritime environment has undergone profound change over the past decade. Rising multi-domain threats—from cyber intrusions to hybrid warfare—necessitate a comprehensive approach to national defence.

In line with this, the doctrine incorporates:

• Grey-zone conflict strategies, including countering irregular and hybrid tactics
• Integration of space, cyber, and cognitive warfare domains
• Adoption of uncrewed and autonomous systems
• Use of emerging technologies for surveillance, deterrence, and operational efficiency

The Navy emphasised that the doctrine establishes the foundation for future strategy and operations while aligning with India’s long-term national vision, particularly Viksit Bharat 2047, which identifies maritime power as a core pillar of national security and economic expansion.

Expanding India’s Maritime Influence

The updated doctrine also places clear focus on advancing India’s regional role and strengthening its position as a major maritime power in the Indo-Pacific. It highlights the need for:

• A maritime-conscious nation, aware of the geopolitical and economic centrality of the oceans
• Enhanced cooperation with regional partners
• Protection of sea lines of communication
• Expanded presence in the Indian Ocean Region

India’s strategic outlook now blends traditional naval priorities with the realities of technological disruption, geopolitical competition, and expanding responsibilities as a regional security provider.

A Transformative Step Forward

In its essence, the Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025 is not merely a naval document but a building block in India’s broader military transformation. By embedding jointness, multi-domain preparedness, and strategic clarity into its core, it strengthens India’s ability to safeguard its maritime interests while supporting the country’s wider defence reforms.

As Admiral Tripathi noted, the progress made in shifting mindsets across the services has been significant. The doctrine aims to turn that shift into lasting institutional action—bringing India closer to a future where its armed forces operate jointly, efficiently, and decisively in an increasingly complex security environment.