Navy chief Admiral Sunil lanba will hold bilateral discussions with his Iranian counterpart to further strengthen ties in the maritime domain during his four-day visit to Tehran starting Sunday. He will also take part in the sixth edition of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium(IONS) and conclave of Chiefs from Monday to Wednesday next.
India formed IONS in 2008 comprising littoral states located on the rim of the Indian Ocean region to enhance co-operation in tackling piracy and threat of terrorism from sea routes. At least 23 countries are now part of the group and nine nations are observers.
Giving details of the Navy chief’s visit, officials said here on Sunday the visit is also aimed at consolidating bilateral naval relations between India and Iran and to explore new avenues for naval cooperation. lanba, leading a four member Indian delegation, will also hold bilateral discussions with the Commander of Iranian Navy and Navy chiefs of several other nations on the sidelines of the IONS.
As regards the symposium, they said the IONS was conceived by the Indian Navy in 2008. The aim of the initiative was to enhance maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region by providing an open and inclusive forum for discussion on regionally relevant maritime issues.
The inaugural edition of IONS was held in February 2008 in New Delhi, with Indian Navy as the Chair for two years.
“A relatively young forum, barely in its 10th year of existence, the IONS has grown into a formidable organisation with 23 members and nine observers. As the founder nation, India will also be conducting commemorative activities in November 2018 at Kochi, to celebrate its 10th Anniversary this year,” the Navy said