UPSC Express

Which of the following statements is/are true regarding Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)?
1. IONS is a regional organization of countries focusing on the Indian Ocean.
2. The member states are represented by the heads of their navies.
3. The first International Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (IMMSAREX) will be held between three countries- India, China and Pakistan, under the aegis of IONS.
Choose the correct code from the options given below:
A.
1 only
B.
1 and 2
C.
1 and 3
D.
1, 2 and 3
Explanation :
The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium is a forum to increase maritime cooperation among the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.
Its Members are:
South Asian Littorals: Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and United Kingdom (British Indian Ocean Territory)
West Asian Littorals: Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates
East African Littorals: France (Reunion), Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa, and Tanzania.
South East Asian and Australian Littorals: Australia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste.
Observers- China, Germany, Japan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Russia and Spain.
The maiden International Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (IMMSAREX) will be held between member countries in the Bay of Bengal in Nov’17.