16-Nov-2021: Indian Ocean Naval Symposium(IONS) - 2021 conclave of chiefs 15-16 Nov 21, Paris, France

The 7th edition of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs is being hosted by French Navy at Paris from 15 - 16 Nov 21. Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, is leading a two member Indian Naval delegation for this Conclave.

The Conclave of Chiefs is being attended by Chiefs of Navies/ Heads of Lead Maritime Agencies of IONS nations. Various bilateral interactions are also being conducted on the side-lines of the Conclave to facilitate a greater degree of maritime cooperation and understanding between the IONS nations. The 7th edition of IONS Symposium was held at Le-Reunion from 28 Jun - 01 Jul 21 in hybrid format due to COVID protocols. During the Symposium, it was agreed upon to conduct the extant Conclave of Chiefs at Paris.

IONS was conceived by the Indian Navy in 2008 as a forum which seeks to enhance maritime co-operation among Navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region by providing an open and inclusive platform for discussions on regionally relevant maritime issues that would lead to common understanding on the way ahead. The inaugural edition of IONS was held in Feb 2008 at New Delhi, with Indian Navy as the Chair for two years. The IONS Chair is presently held with France.

1-Jul-2021: 7th Indian Ocean Naval Symposium

The 7th edition of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), a biennial event, was hosted by the French Navy at La Réunion from 28 June to 01 July 2021. Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy, participated virtually in the inaugural session of the event and provided his congratulatory remarks to the Outgoing and Incoming Chairmen.

IONS, conceived by the Indian Navy in 2008, seeks to enhance maritime cooperation among Navies of the littoral states of the IOR by providing an open and inclusive forum for discussion of regionally relevant maritime issues that would lead to common understanding on the way ahead. The chairmanship of IONS has been held by India (2008-10), UAE (2010-12), South Africa (2012-14), Australia (2014-16), Bangladesh (2016-18) and Islamic Republic of Iran (2018-21). France has assumed the Chairmanship on 29 Jun 21 for a two-year tenure.

During the Symposium, SME presentations were made by French Institute of International Relations - Observatoire du Climat, European Union, Indian Ocean Commission, IFC Singapore, RMIFC Madagascar and EU led Critical Maritime Routes Indian Ocean (CRIMARIO). The Symposium also held panel discussions themed on the three IONS working Groups viz., HADR, Maritime Security and Information Sharing & Interoperability. The Naval Maritime Foundation (NMF) also participated in the Panel Discussion on HADR.

IONS Conclave of Chiefs (CoC) is the decision-making body at the level of Chiefs of Navies, which meets biennially. 6th IONS and CoC was conducted by Iran Navy in April 2018 at Tehran. Owing to the pandemic, the CoC 2021, will be hosted by French Navy later this year.

7-Jan-2019: Bandar Abbas to host IONS next month

IONS is a voluntary move to increase maritime cooperation between naval forces in coastal countries around the Indian Ocean and is a comprehensive symposium for discussing and exchanging regional information.

This symposium is composed of representatives from 24 member states and eight observer countries. This symposium provides necessary information available among naval experts which will create common understanding and multilateral solutions as well.

1-Nov-2014: 10th Anniversary of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium to be Hosted on 13-14 November 2018

The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) is an inclusive and voluntary initiative that brings together navies of littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region with the aim of increasing maritime cooperation and enhancing regional security. It is a forum for discussion, policy formulation as well as numerous aspects of naval operations, all of which are crucial elements of a cooperative mechanism.

The inaugural IONS was held on 14 February 2008 in New Delhi with the then Chief of the Naval Staff as the Chairman of the forum for the period from 2008 to 2010. Since then, the chairmanship of IONS has been tenanted by the navies of the UAE, South Africa, Australia, Bangladesh and Iran.  This unprecedented initiative has grown in significance and has been whole-heartedly accepted across the Indian Ocean Region, establishing itself as an effective platform for discussion and deliberation on issues related to maritime security. Today, IONS has 24 member and 08 observer nations that are geographically grouped into four sub-regions, namely South-Asian, West Asian, East African, South East Asian & Australian Littorals.

Over the past few years, the three IONS Working Groups (IWGs) have done exemplary work on Maritime Security, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) as well as Information Sharing and Interoperability. IWG on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, which is ‘Chaired’ by India, have evolved the Draft IONS HADR Guidelines and conducted a multi-lateral table-top exercise in September 2018. In November 2017 International Multilateral Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise by Bangladesh marked the first operational exercise under IONS Charter and is likely to be followed up by ‘Anti-Piracy’ exercise in Mid 2019 by Iran. These regional initiatives underscore the overwhelming success of the forum in delivering its envisaged aims.

Year 2018 marks the 10th anniversary of the IONS. This anniversary is planned to be commemorated on 13th and 14th November 2018 at Kochi in a manner befitting the status of India as a nation rising rapidly in geopolitical significance, and the Indian Navy as a leading maritime force of the region. Invitations were extended to all IONS nations and it is expected that almost all nations will be represented at the commemorative event. The encouraging response is acknowledgement of the trust imposed in India as a reliable partner for growth by nations of the region and the Indian Navy as an enabler of peace and stability.

The commemoration programme includes a seminar hosted by the Indian Navy on the theme ‘SAGAR’ or Security and Growth for all in the Region and a Tall Ship regatta from Kochi to Muscat and back, covering a distance of over 3000 nautical miles. A cultural evening is also planned showcasing the rich cultural heritage of India. The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest for IONS 10th anniversary commemorative events.

26-Sep-2018: Working group meeting on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (27 – 28 September 2018)

In the series of meetings of IONS Working Group (IWG) on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), the 3rd meeting is scheduled at Headquarters Eastern Naval Command, Vishakhapatnam from 27 to 28 September 2018. IONS, the 21st century’s first significant international maritime security initiative launched in February 2008, provides a forum for discussion of regional maritime issues and promotes friendly relationships among member nations. It presently has 24 members and eight observer navies.

Participants from the IWG member nations including Australia, Bangladesh, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Oman and Thailand, will be participating in the two day event. The ‘Guidelines on HADR for IONS nations’, prepared by the Indian Navy will be validated by conduct of a Table Top Exercise as part of the meeting. The participants will also exchange lessons learnt during the conduct of HADR operations by respective navies with special reference to galvanizing the IONS efforts to respond in a faster and coordinated manner.