NEW DELHI, Feb 12 (KUNA) — The Indian Navy is organising a symposium from February 14-16, which would witness participation by 29 countries from South Africa to Australia. The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) will be organised in Delhi and coastal state of Goa, an official in the Indian Defence Ministry told reporters here Tuesday. IONS would be addressed by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A K Antony and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
“The symposium is important in view of the increasing maritime trade passing through the Indian Ocean and the Strait of Malacca and the necessity to safeguard the sea lanes from terrorist activities, the official said. “IONS will help promote mutual interaction and understanding, he added. “Many navies of the Indian Ocean Region look to India to promote regional maritime security.
Keeping this in mind India is holding IONS for discussing and taking forward issues of common interest,” he said. IONS is being divided into two parts — with the first two days (Feb 14-15) devoted to a seminar here and on Feb 16 the delegates will be in Goa to participate in a closed-door conclave.