IONS Maritime Exercise 2022 (IMEX-22)

In News

• The maiden edition of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Maritime Exercise 2022 (IMEX-22) was conducted at Goa and in the Arabian Sea.

IONS Maritime Exercise 2022 

• The aim of the exercise was to enhance interoperability in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations among member navies. 
• The exercise is seen as a significant stepping stone for regional navies to collaborate and respond collectively to natural disasters in the region and paves way for further strengthening regional cooperation.

Indian Ocean Naval Symposium

• Aim: 
  • Seeks to enhance maritime cooperation among Navies of the littoral states of the IOR by providing an open and inclusive forum for discussion of regionally relevant maritime issues that would lead to a common understanding on the way ahead.
• Chairmanship: 
  • The chairmanship of IONS has been held by India (2008-10), UAE (2010-12), South Africa (2012-14), Australia (2014-16), Bangladesh (2016-18) and the Islamic Republic of Iran (2018-21).
  • France has assumed the Chairmanship on 29 Jun 21 for a two-year tenure.
• Members:
  • IONS includes 24 nations that permanently hold territory that abuts or lies within the Indian Ocean and 8 observer nations:
  • South Asian Littorals: Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and United Kingdom (British Indian Ocean Territory)
  • West Asian Littorals: Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates
  • East African Littorals: France (Reunion), Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa, and Tanzania.
  • South-East Asian and Australian Littorals: Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste.
• Agenda: 

• The Symposium also held panel discussions themed on the three IONS Working for Groups viz HADR, Maritime Security and Information Sharing & Interoperability.
• The Naval Maritime Foundation (NMF) also participated in the Panel Discussion on HADR.

Importance of Indian Oceanic Region

• Abundant natural resources: The Indian Ocean holds 16.8% of the world’s proven oil reserves and 27.9% of proven natural gas reserves.
• Maritime Trade: Major sea routes connecting the Middle East, Africa and East Asia with Europe and the Americas.
• Security: It will help India to consolidate its sphere of influence from the Straits of Malacca to Hormuz.
• Region to counter-balance the increasing presence of China in the region.

Source: PIB