Consider the following in respect of 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 co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region. Which of the above statements is/are correct ?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Why the answer is (b)
• IONS was launched by the Indian Navy in February 2008 in New Delhi, with India as the first chair — not 2015, so statement 1 is wrong.
• Statement 2 is correct: it is a voluntary forum of the navies of Indian Ocean littoral states (about 25 members) to build maritime cooperation, information sharing and interoperability.
• Chairmanship rotates biennially (UAE, South Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, Iran, France, Thailand).
• Hence 2 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 1 is wrong: IONS began in 2008.
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- Statement 1 is wrong.
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- Statement 2 is correct: IONS is a voluntary naval forum.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.