Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)

Category: International Relations / Defence

  • IONS is a maritime-security initiative involving navies of countries bordering the Indian Ocean.
  • It was established in 2008.
  • India was the inaugural chair of IONS.
  • Its objectives include promoting maritime cooperation, information sharing, interoperability and collective responses to common maritime challenges.
  • It provides a forum for discussing issues such as maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, piracy and search-and-rescue.
  • IONS is not a military alliance like NATO.

Key Pointers: Established → 2008 | Inaugural chair → India | Focus → Indian Ocean maritime cooperation.