Business Standard- Navy chiefAdmiralSunil Lanbaon Sunday arrived inTehranto participate in a three-day symposium aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation between different countries in theIndian Oceanregion, an official statement said here.
During his visit, Lanba will hold bilateral discussions with theCommanderof the Iranian Navy, and other participating chiefs of navies and heads of maritime agencies during the 6th edition of theIndian OceanNaval Symposium (IONS) inTehranbetween April 23 and 25.
He is leading a four-member Indian delegation toIranfor the IONS, conceived by theIndian Navyin 2008.
"The forum seeks to enhance maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of theIndian Oceanregion by providing an open and inclusive forum for discussion on regionally relevant maritime issues that will lead to common understanding on the way ahead," aDefence Ministrystatement said.
The inaugural edition of the IONS was held in February 2008 inNew Delhi.
The charter of business of the IONS, which has grown into a formidable organisation with 23 members and nine observers, was agreed upon by the conclave of chiefs and brought into effect in February 2014.
As the founder-nation of IONS,Indiawill hold activities in November 2018 at Kochi inKeralato celebratethe IONS's 10th anniversarythis year, the statement added.