Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf visited Thailand to attend the eighth Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs at Bangkok. The event involved panel discussions on issues related to cooperation in maritime security of the Indian Ocean and Blue Economy- ways forward for sustainable development of IONS members.
During the IONS Conclave of Chiefs, bilateral meetings were held between the Chief of the Naval Staff and naval leadership of IONS member states. CNS called on the Commander of Qatar Emiri Naval Forces, the C-in-C of the Royal Thai Navy, the Deputy C-in-C of the Russian Navy, the Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman, the CNS of French Navy, the Commander of the Iranian Navy, the Fleet Commander of Royal Navy, U.K. and Vice Chief of Japan Maritime Self Defence Force and discussed matters of mutual interest. Admiral Naveed Ashraf focused on P.N. contributions to regional maritime security and emphasised collaboration between the regional navies to enhance the region’s maritime security. He also stressed greater collaboration between Indian Ocean countries to exploit the potential of a blue economy.
Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) is an initiative to formalise a regional maritime collaborative forum. Pakistan formally became a member of IONS in 2014. P.N. proactively participates in IONS, providing a platform for the participating nations to work together for regional peace and maritime security through a collaborative approach.
