Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs (CoC) 2023

The 8th edition of the IONS Conclave of Chiefs took place in Bangkok, Thailand, from December 19 to 22, 2023. Chiefs of Navies and senior delegates from 27 member and observer countries participated in this significant event.

Leadership Transition and Work Plan Finalization

During the Conclave, Thailand assumed the role of Chair of IONS, and a comprehensive two-year work plan was finalized. A noteworthy development was the selection of a flag designed by India as the official IONS flag. India also took on the co-chair role for IONS Working Groups on Maritime Security and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) for the upcoming cycle. The Republic of Korea Navy was welcomed as the latest observer, increasing the collective strength of IONS to 34 (25 Members & 09 Observers).

Bilateral Maritime Discussions

On the sidelines of the Conclave, Admiral R Hari Kumar interacted with Heads of Delegation from various countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, France, Iran, Italy, Malaysia, Maldives, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Spain. The discussions focused on bilateral maritime issues, strengthening ties and cooperation.

IONS: A Forum for Maritime Cooperation

IONS, conceived by the Indian Navy in 2008, serves as an open and inclusive platform for enhancing maritime cooperation among the navies of Indian Ocean littoral states. It facilitates discussions on regionally relevant maritime issues to foster a common understanding and collaborative strategies.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2023

Category: Defence Current Affairs