Visakhapatnam: India formally assumed the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) during the 9th Naval Chiefs’ Conclave held on February 20 in Visakhapatnam. The Indian Navy took over the leadership from the Royal Thai Navy, marking India’s return to the helm of the prestigious maritime forum after nearly 16 years.
India had earlier served as the founding chair of IONS from 2008 to 2010.
33 Nations Participate in Strategic Maritime Dialogue
The conclave witnessed participation from naval chiefs and maritime security representatives of 33 Indian Ocean littoral states. The wide representation — spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific region — highlighted the growing importance of maritime cooperation and regional security.
The leadership transition places India at the forefront of shaping collaborative security initiatives across the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Focus on Maritime Security, HADR and Information Sharing
Indian Navy Chief Dinesh K Tripathi emphasized India’s commitment to making IONS more proactive and outcome-oriented.
Key focus areas discussed during the summit included:
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Strengthening maritime security cooperation
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Enhancing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) coordination
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Improving real-time maritime information sharing among member nations
The discussions underscored the collective resolve to address common challenges such as piracy, maritime terrorism and climate-related disasters.
Launch of New IONS Website and Expansion of Membership
During the conclave, a new IONS website developed by the Indian Navy was launched to facilitate secure communication and better coordination among member states.
Additionally:
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The Philippines was inducted as an observer nation.
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Oman was included in the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief working group.
These developments reflect the expanding scope and inclusivity of the forum.
India’s Roadmap for the IONS Tenure
As chair, India outlined key initiatives for its tenure, including:
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Organising the IONS Maritime Exercise
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Deployment of IOS Sagar for collaborative maritime engagement
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Conducting regular workshops for maritime information exchange
Defence experts believe India’s renewed leadership will inject fresh momentum into regional maritime cooperation and strengthen trust among Indian Ocean nations.
With this development, India reinforces its strategic role as a key security partner in the Indian Ocean Region and signals its commitment to collective maritime stability and cooperation.
