Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Introduction | – The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) was established in 2008 by the Indian Navy to foster maritime cooperation among the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). – The primary goal is to create an open and inclusive forum for the navies of the IOR to discuss regional security issues and maritime challenges. |
| Objectives | – Enhance Maritime Security: Strengthen regional maritime security through collaborative efforts and information sharing. – Promote Cooperation: Foster naval cooperation among member states to address common maritime challenges. – Facilitate Information Exchange: Encourage the flow of information between member navies for a common understanding. |
| Members (Dec 2024) | – Total Members: 25 littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region. 1. Australia, 2. Bangladesh, 3. France, 4. India, 5. Indonesia, 6. Iran, 7. Kenya, 8. Madagascar, 9. Malaysia, 10. Maldives, 11. Mauritius, 12. Mozambique, 13. Myanmar, 14. Oman, 15. Pakistan, 16. Saudi Arabia, 17. Seychelles, 18. Singapore, 19. South Africa, 20. Sri Lanka, 21. Tanzania, 22. Thailand, 23. Timor-Leste, 24. United Arab Emirates, 25. United Kingdom. |
| Reports/Indices | – IONS Charter: The foundational document outlining the principles and structure of IONS. – Annual Conclave Reports: Summaries of decisions and discussions from annual IONS Conclaves. – Working Group Reports: Analysis and recommendations on maritime issues like security, humanitarian assistance, and information sharing. – IONS Maritime Exercise (IMEX) Reports: Reports on the biennial exercises aimed at enhancing interoperability. – Capacity Building Program Reports: Details of initiatives and outcomes of IONS’ training and capacity-building activities. |
| Instruments | – IONS Charter: Establishes the framework and guidelines for IONS. – Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Detailed procedures for conducting IONS activities. – Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs): Agreements facilitating cooperation and information sharing among member states. |
| Structure | – Chairmanship: Rotates biennially among member states, with the host nation assuming the chair for the term. – Conclave of Chiefs (CoC): Annual meeting of Chiefs of Navies from member states to discuss strategic maritime issues. – Working Groups: Specialized groups focusing on maritime security, humanitarian assistance, and information sharing. – Secretariat: The host nation of the chairmanship provides administrative and secretarial support. |
| Subsidiary Organs | – Working Group on Maritime Security: Focuses on promoting maritime security and addressing piracy, terrorism, and other threats. – Working Group on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): Enhances regional capabilities for disaster response. – Working Group on Information Sharing and Interoperability: Aims to improve the flow of maritime information among navies. |
| Committees | – Planning and Coordination Committee: Oversees the planning and coordination of IONS activities and events. – Training and Exercise Committee: Develops joint training programs and exercises to improve interoperability. – Finance Committee: Manages financial aspects and resources for IONS activities. |
| Initiatives | – IONS Maritime Exercise (IMEX): Biennial naval exercise focused on enhancing coordination and interoperability among member navies. – Capacity Building Programs: Training workshops and courses to enhance naval capabilities in areas like maritime security, search and rescue, and disaster relief. – Information Sharing and Interoperability Initiatives: Frameworks for real-time data sharing and operational compatibility among navies. – Environmental Protection Programs: Collaborative initiatives to address marine pollution and sustainable use of ocean resources. – Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Initiatives: Joint exercises and protocols to improve disaster response capacity in the region. |
