India Assumes Leadership of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium

India has officially assumed the leadership role of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) as announced by Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, during the 9th Conclave of Chiefs. The nation is now set to enhance its contributions towards ensuring maritime peace and security in the region.

IONS is a collaborative initiative aimed at increasing maritime cooperation among Indian Ocean Region littoral states. The symposium forms a crucial platform for open discussions on regional maritime issues, facilitating information flow and fostering cooperative solutions among its 25 member and nine observer navies.

Key working groups under IONS focus on Humanitarian Assistance, Maritime Security, and Information Sharing. Deputy Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy, Rob de Wit, highlighted the economic importance of the region, expressing gratitude to India for hosting the event and underscoring the importance of multilateral cooperation to address piracy and maritime threats.