Source: PIB
Subject: Mapping
Context: India assumed the Chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) during the 9th Conclave of Chiefs held in Visakhapatnam in February 2026.
About Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS):
What it is?
- The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) is a voluntary, inclusive and multilateral maritime forum that promotes cooperation among navies of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Established in:
- Established in 2008.
- Initiated by the Indian Navy to strengthen maritime cooperation among Indian Ocean littoral states.
History:
- India held the inaugural chairmanship (2008–2010).
- Successive chairmanships included UAE, South Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, Iran, France and Thailand.
- In 2026, India reassumed chairmanship, signalling renewed momentum for regional maritime cooperation.
Members:
- Around 25 member nations from the Indian Ocean Region.
- Includes observer countries and other maritime partners, with participation spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Aim:
- To enhance collaboration among regional navies for maintaining peace, stability and secure sea lanes in the Indian Ocean.
- To promote interoperability, professional exchanges and coordinated responses to humanitarian and security challenges.
Key Functions:
- Conducts Conclaves of Chiefs of Navies for strategic dialogue: Provides a high-level platform where naval leaders discuss regional maritime challenges, security cooperation and future collaborative strategies.
- Facilitates maritime exercises (IMEX): Organises joint drills and officer interactions to improve interoperability, operational understanding and confidence among participating navies.
- Operates through three specialised Working Groups:
Dedicated groups translate strategic decisions into practical cooperation in key maritime domains.
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): Develops coordination mechanisms and best practices for rapid response during natural disasters and humanitarian crises at sea.
- Maritime Security (MARSEC): Focuses on tackling piracy, terrorism, trafficking and other non-traditional maritime threats through shared experiences and cooperation.
- Information Sharing & Interoperability (IS&I): Enhances real-time information exchange and compatible procedures to improve joint maritime operations and situational awareness.
- Promotes maritime domain awareness: Encourages sharing of maritime data and coordinated surveillance to ensure safer sea lanes and effective monitoring of activities.
- Strengthens institutional collaboration: Uses digital systems, training programmes and workshops to improve continuous engagement and long-term institutional cooperation among navies.
