In a landmark moment for maritime diplomacy, the Indian Navy has assumed the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) from the Royal Thai Navy. The handover occurred during the 9th IONS Conclave held in Visakhapatnam on February 20, attended by naval chiefs and maritime security representatives from 33 nations spanning the Indian Ocean region.
This marks India’s return to the helm after nearly 16 years, having previously led from 2008 to 2010. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi emphasized transforming IONS into a dynamic platform for enhanced cooperation on maritime security, disaster relief, and information sharing.
The conclave highlighted growing global unity on Indian Ocean security, with participation from countries across the Atlantic to the Pacific. Key developments included the launch of a new IONS website developed by the Indian Navy to foster secure communication among members. The Philippines joined as an observer, and Oman was added to the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) working group, expanding the forum’s reach.
India outlined ambitious initiatives for its tenure, including organizing the IONS Maritime Exercise, deploying IOS Sagar, and conducting regular workshops on maritime information sharing. These steps aim to build trust and coordination among member states.
Defense experts view India’s leadership as a pivotal shift, signaling stronger collective efforts to safeguard the vital Indian Ocean region amid evolving global challenges. The conclave ushers in a new era of maritime collaboration.