Context:

• The 7th edition of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), a biennial event, was hosted by the French Navy at La Réunion.

About IONS:

• It was conceived by the Indian Navy in 2008.
• It seeks to enhance maritime cooperation among Navies of the littoral states of the IOR by providing an open and inclusive forum for discussion of regionally relevant maritime issues that would lead to common understanding on the way ahead.
• It provides a forum to increase maritime security cooperation, discuss regional maritime issues, and promote friendly relationships among the member states.
• The chairmanship of IONS has been held by India in 2008-10.
• The symposium was first held in 2008 with India as host.
• It is a voluntary initiative among the navies and maritime security agencies of the member nations.
• Now, France has assumed the Chairmanship on 29 Jun 21 for a two-year tenure.
• IONS Conclave of Chiefs (CoC) is the decision-making body at the level of Chiefs of Navies, which meets biennially.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1732031

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