The 8th edition of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs (CoC) concluded on December 22 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Key points
- The conclave organized by Royal Thai Navy began on the 19th of this month.
- Chiefs of Navies or Senior Delegates from 27 Members or Observer countries participated in the event. .
- Thailand assumed the duties of Chair of IONS, and the Work Plan for the next two years was finalized.
- As a first, the Flag designed by India was selected as the IONS Flag.
- India also took over as the co-chair of IONS Working Groups on Maritime Security and HADR for the forthcoming cycle.
- Republic of Korea Navy was welcomed by the Conclave as the latest ‘Observer’, raising the collective strength of IONS to 34 (25 Members & 09 Observers).
About IONS
- IONS was conceived by the Indian Navy in 2008 as a forum which seeks to enhance maritime cooperation among Navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region by providing an open and inclusive platform for discussions.
- The inaugural edition of IONS was held in Feb 2008 at New Delhi, with Indian Navy as the Chair for two years (2008 – 2010).
