The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), in its 7th edition, is currently taking place in Paris, hosted by the French Navy from 15th to 16th November 2021. Since its inception, IONS has played a crucial role in promoting maritime cooperation and enhancing regional security within the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
About The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium
IONS, which started under the Indian Navy’s Chairmanship in New Delhi (2008-2010), is a voluntary and inclusive initiative involving navies of littoral states in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Its aim is not only to foster maritime cooperation but also to develop an effective response against natural disasters. Subsequent chairmanship positions have been held by various nations: UAE (2010-12), South Africa (2012-14), Australia (2014-16), Bangladesh (2016-18), and Islamic Republic of Iran (2018-21). France assumed this role in June 2021 for a two-year tenure.
The Members Of IONS
Currently, IONS includes 24 member nations either touching or lying within the IOR, as well as 8 observer nations. They are geographically grouped into four sub-regions: South Asian Littorals, West Asian Littorals, East African Littorals, and South East Asian and Australian Littorals.
Significance Of IONS For India
For India, IONS is vital in cultivating deeper relations with the Indian Ocean littoral states and for asserting its leadership potential. It fits in well with India’s ambitions of creating a stable, rule-based maritime order in the IOR. It also enhances India’s scope of influence from the Straits of Malacca to Hormuz, and can be used to counterbalance the increasing presence of China in the region.
Associated Groupings/Initiatives With IOR
There are several groupings and initiatives associated with the IOR. These include the Indian Ocean Rim Association set up in 1997 to encourage regional cooperation and sustainable development; the Indian Ocean Commission, which India recently joined as an observer and handles maritime governance in the southwestern Indian Ocean; and SAGAR aimed at deepening economic and security cooperation with maritime neighbors.
The IFC-IOR set up by India in 2018 provides a central hub for information-sharing, while the Asia Africa Growth Corridor initiated by India and Japan encourages developmental projects, quality infrastructure, and people-to-people partnerships. Additionally, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation exists to foster rapid economic development and collaborate on matters of common interest.