Overview

• Delegates from 19 member countries met at Southern Naval Command, Kochi, on August 27–28 for the Emerging Leaders panel under IONS.
• Vice Admiral V. Srinivas delivered the keynote, reaffirming the Indian Navy’s commitment to dialogue, trust and cooperative security in the region.
• The four sessions covered strategic challenges in the Indian Ocean, IONS’s future role in fostering collaboration, and pathways to expand training linkages and interoperability.
• Participants examined emerging technologies for maritime security, including AI-enabled systems, unmanned platforms, cybersecurity, maritime reconnaissance and space-based surveillance.
• The seminar closed with consensus to enhance maritime domain awareness, deepen technological partnerships and expand shared training, with delegates reaffirming IONS’s inclusive, voluntary character.