Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)
The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) is a voluntary initiative that seeks to enhance maritime cooperation among navies of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It was conceived and inaugurated by the Indian Navy in February 2008 in New Delhi. IONS provides an open and inclusive forum for discussions on regionally relevant maritime issues, including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief (HADR), and shared security challenges.
- Founded: February 2008, New Delhi (Indian Navy as founding chair, 2008–2010)
- Membership: 25 member nations + 9 observers = 34 total (as of latest expansion with Republic of Korea as observer)
- Members organized into 4 sub-regions: South Asian Littorals, West Asian Littorals, East African Littorals, South East Asian and Australian Littorals
- Chairmanship rotates biennially; India held the chair in 2008–2010
- Key focus areas: maritime security cooperation, HADR, freedom of navigation, blue economy, information sharing
● Tracked since February 14, 2026 · last seen March 29, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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