Iran to Host Indian Ocean Naval Symposium in Spring

"We will host the 6th biennial symposium of the Indian Ocean littoral states' navy commanders, that will include 36 countries, in the (Iranian) month of Ordibehesht (April 21 to May 22, 2018)," Rear Admiral Sayyari said.

Noting that the biennial event has so far been held in India, the UAE, South Africa, Australia and Bangladesh, he said, "We predict that over 50 delegations will participate in the forum."

The IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region by providing an open and inclusive forum for discussion of regionally relevant maritime issues.

In the process, it endeavors to generate a flow of information between naval professionals that would lead to common understanding and possibly cooperative solutions on the way ahead.