Antony says US, UK requested for ‘observer’ status in IONS
July 22nd, 2009 - 10:02 pm ICT by ANINew Delhi, July 22 (ANI): Defence Minister AK Antony today informed the Rajya Sabha that the United States and United Kingdom have requested for “observer” status in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), an intiative of the Indian Navy to secure and stabilise the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
“Navies of UK and USA have forwarded requests seeking observer status in IONS,” Antony said.
“No such request has been received from the Chinese Navy,” he added. Antony informed the house that the United Arab Emirates would be hosting IONS next year.
IONS, one of the biggest conglomerations of Navy heads, was aimed at evolving joint strategy to face maritime threat in the strategically significant region.
Twenty-nine nations participated in the first symposium that was conducted in two parts, with a two-day seminar in New Delhi followed by a two-day conclave in Goa for the naval chiefs of the participating countries.
Antony also said that the Defence Ministry may review the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) annually to infuse greater transparency, keep pace with changing times and encourage involvement of indigenous industry. (ANI)
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Tags: antony, chinese navy, conclave, defence minister, defence ministry, defence procurement, goa, indian navy, indian ocean region, indigenous industry, intiative, ions, naval chiefs, navies, New Delhi, observer status, procurement procedure, rajya sabha, transparency, united arab emirates