Indian Navy Hosts IONS Working Group Meeting on Maritime Security
New Delhi: The Indian Navy hosted the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Working Group Meeting on Maritime Security (IWG-MARSEC) in New Delhi from June 24 to 25, 2025. The two-day event brought together representatives from 13 IONS member nations, including Australia, Bangladesh, France, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Thailand.
The meeting aimed to strengthen regional maritime security architecture through extensive deliberations and discussions. Delegates focused on enhancing information-sharing frameworks, advancing Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), and adopting collaborative approaches to mitigate emerging threats. The Working Group also deliberated on formulating harmonized operational guidelines and practical measures to facilitate coordinated and timely regional responses.
Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Foreign Cooperation & Intelligence), emphasized India’s commitment to fostering regional maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). He highlighted the growing need for multilateral mechanisms to effectively address contemporary maritime security challenges.
The outcomes of the meeting are expected to play a significant role in reinforcing the collective resolve of member navies to uphold a safe and secure Indian Ocean Region. The event demonstrated the importance of cooperation and collaboration in addressing maritime security challenges and promoting regional stability.
The IONS Working Group Meeting on Maritime Security serves as a dedicated platform for dialogue, cooperation, and actionable outcomes. The meeting’s success will contribute to the collective efforts of member navies to ensure a secure and stable Indian Ocean Region.
