Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) – 8th Conclave of Chiefs (CoC)
Context:
The Royal Thai Navy hosted the 8th edition of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs (CoC) in Bangkok, Thailand, spanning from December 19 to 22, 2023.
Relevance:
GS-03 (Security)
Main highlights:
- Chiefs of Navies and Senior Delegates from 27 Member and Observer countries actively participated in the event.
- Leading a three-member naval delegation, the Chief of Naval Staff for India, Admiral R Hari Kumar, played a significant role in the proceedings.
- In a noteworthy development, the Flag designed by India was chosen as the official IONS Flag.
- India assumed the co-chair role for IONS Working Groups on Maritime Security and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) for the upcoming cycle.
- The Navy of the Republic of Korea was welcomed as an ‘Observer,’ bringing the total strength of IONS to 34 (25 Members and 9 Observers).
- IONS, conceptualized by the Indian Navy in 2008, serves as a forum fostering maritime cooperation among Navies in the Indian Ocean Region. It provides an open and inclusive platform for discussions on pertinent maritime issues, contributing to a shared understanding for future collaborative endeavors.
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