India takes reins of IONS, focuses on maritime stability
By G.Janardhana Rao
Visakhapatnam: India has taken the helm of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) for the second time, assuming Chairmanship from the Royal Thai Navy. This marks India's return to the leadership of the forum after 16 years, with the first tenure being from 2008 to 2010. The chairmanship rotates among member countries for a two-year term, with each cycle including a Conclave of Chiefs and a preparatory workshop.
The 9th Conclave of Chiefs of IONS, held in Visakhapatnam, brought together naval chiefs and heads of maritime security agencies from 33 countries, showcasing the growing cooperation among like-minded navies.
The IONS is a voluntary initiative launched by India in 2008 to promote maritime cooperation among navies of the Indian Ocean Region. The symposium provides an open and inclusive forum for dialogue on regionally relevant maritime issues and seeks to promote the flow of information among naval professionals to foster common understanding and cooperative solutions.
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff and Chair of IONS, emphasised strengthening Working Groups on Maritime Security, HADR, and Information Sharing and Interoperability. This marks a renewed phase in IONS' evolution, with India committed to maritime stability in the Indian Ocean Region. He highlighted India's commitment to maintaining safe, secure, and open seas, and reinforcing IONS' core principles of cooperation, operational awareness, resilience, and sustained engagement.
Key developments during the Conclave included the launch of the upgraded IONS website, undertaken by the Indian Navy to enhance usability, institutional continuity, and secure engagement among member navies. The Philippines was included as an Observer, and Oman joined the IONS Working Group on HADR, further enhancing the scope of collaborative engagement under IONS and widening forum's cooperative reach.
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