INDIA ASSUMES CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE INDIAN OCEAN NAVAL SYMPOSIUM

• IONS is a voluntary, Indian-Navy-initiated forum of Indian Ocean littoral state navies for maritime cooperation, launched in 2008.
• On 20 Feb 2026, at the 9th Conclave of Chiefs held at Visakhapatnam, India took over Chairmanship from the Royal Thai Navy — its return after 16 years (first chair: 2008–10).
• Tests GS-II (groupings involving India) and GS-III (maritime security); flagship example of India's SAGAR / MAHASAGAR Indo-Pacific outreach.