UPSC Prelims 2017 Question:

Consider the following in reference to Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)

1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy. 
2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.
   
   

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Explanation:

• The first Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) was held in New Delhi on 14 February 2008. The Indian Navy was made the Chairman of IONS in 2008-10. So, statement 1 is not correct.
  
  
• The IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime cooperation 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. A country with permanent territory located in the Indian Ocean littoral, possessing a navy or maritime agency can be a member of IONS upon officially accepting the IONS’ Business Charter. So, statement 2 is correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.

Subject: Polity | International Relations