Why in news?
India will host a major maritime gathering in February 2026 that includes the International Fleet Review, Exercise MILAN 2026 and the 9th Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs. These events will be held in Visakhapatnam from 15 to 25 February and mark India’s assumption of the IONS chairmanship for 2025–27. The announcement follows the visit of the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron to Indonesia, highlighting growing naval cooperation under the IONS framework.
Background
The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium is a voluntary initiative launched by the Indian Navy in 2008 to foster cooperation among the navies of states bordering the Indian Ocean. IONS provides an open, inclusive forum where chiefs of navies and maritime agencies discuss shared challenges such as maritime security, piracy, climate change, search‑and‑rescue and humanitarian assistance. Membership is divided into four sub‑regions – South Asian, West Asian, East African and South East Asian/Australian – encompassing 36 littoral states. An additional nine countries participate as observers.
Key aspects of IONS
- Rotating chair: The chairmanship rotates among member states every two years. India will take over the chair at the 2026 conclave.
- Working groups: IONS has working groups on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, information sharing and interoperability, and maritime security. They develop guidelines and coordinate exercises.
- Conclave of Chiefs: The IONS Conclave brings together chiefs of navies to exchange views and adopt joint declarations. The upcoming conclave in Visakhapatnam will coincide with a Presidential Fleet Review and large‑scale naval exercises.
- Inclusiveness: Membership is open to any state with a coastline on the Indian Ocean, reflecting a commitment to shared stewardship of the “global commons”.
Upcoming events in 2026
- International Fleet Review: Warships, submarines and maritime patrol aircraft from dozens of countries will assemble in Visakhapatnam, demonstrating naval capabilities and promoting goodwill.
- Exercise MILAN 2026: A biennial multilateral naval exercise hosted by India that focuses on joint operations, harbour and sea phase drills, and professional exchanges.
- IONS Conclave of Chiefs: Scheduled for 20 February 2026, the conclave will deliberate on contemporary maritime issues and formally hand over the chairmanship to India.
- Mahasagar vision: The events are aligned with India’s “MAHASAGAR” vision, which stresses maritime security, stability and sustainable development across the wider Indian Ocean region.
Significance
- Enhancing cooperation: By hosting the conclave and exercises, India seeks to strengthen collaboration with partner navies and promote a free, open and inclusive Indo‑Pacific.
- Showcasing capabilities: The fleet review and MILAN exercises will display India’s growing naval power and indigenously built warships, boosting defence diplomacy.
- Strategic leadership: Assuming the IONS chair enables India to shape the maritime agenda, address security challenges and advance capacity‑building initiatives among smaller nations.
Conclusion
IONS embodies collective responsibility among Indian Ocean states. The 2026 conclave and associated events underscore India’s commitment to maritime cooperation, underlining that the region’s security and prosperity depend on working together.
Sources: Press Information Bureau, Maritime Fairtrade, Indian Navy, The Hindu
