India Reassumes IONS Chair, Outlines Maritime Priorities

Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, on Friday said India would use its IONS Chairmanship to deepen practical cooperation, expand information sharing, and keep the forum agile amid emerging maritime challenges. He spoke at the opening of the 9th Conclave of Chiefs of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).

The Conclave drew Chiefs of Navies and Heads of Maritime Security Agencies from 33 countries. They represented IONS members, observers, and Indian Ocean littoral states. Moreover, officials noted that participation from Atlantic and Pacific nations highlighted widening naval engagement on regional security.

In a key development, the Indian Navy took over the IONS Chairmanship from the Royal Thai Navy. Consequently, India returned to the forum’s leadership after 16 years. Earlier, India had held the inaugural Chairmanship from 2008 to 2010.

Admiral Tripathi outlined India’s priorities. Specifically, he called for stronger IONS Working Groups on Maritime Security, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and Information Sharing and Interoperability.

The Indian Navy also launched an upgraded IONS website. The platform aims to improve usability, preserve institutional continuity, and enable secure interaction among member navies.

Meanwhile, the forum admitted the Philippines as an Observer. Oman, in turn, joined the IONS Working Group on HADR. Together, these steps broadened the cooperative framework.

India further announced a set of initiatives for its Chairmanship. These include the IONS Maritime Exercise (IMEX), continued IOS SAGAR deployments with multinational participation, and Maritime Information Sharing Workshops. Collectively, the measures seek to enhance operational coordination and professional exchange.

Officials said the Visakhapatnam Conclave marked a renewed phase for IONS. Overall, they pointed to stronger momentum and a deeper collective commitment to maritime stability in the Indian Ocean Region.