1.0 Introduction
1.1 The Indian Navy hosted the IONS Working Group (IWG) meeting on Maritime Security (MARSEC-25) at Kota House, New Delhi from 23-25 June 2025. The meeting was chaired by Commodore Kartik Srimal, YSM, Commodore (Foreign Co-operation) as the Co-Chair (Iran) could not be present.
2.0 Participating Nations
2.1 25 delegates from 13 IONS member countries participated in the IWG meeting. Australia, Bangladesh, France, Kenya, Mozambique, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tanzania and India.
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING IWG MARSEC - 25
| Ser | Country | Name of Participant |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Tanzania | Captain David Jausungu Kobelo Commander Juma Rashid Kilaya |
| 2. | Oman | Commander Amor Bin Hamood Al Jahwari Lieutenant Khalid bin Hashil Al Hina |
| 3. | South Africa | Captain (SA Navy) M.A. Van Rooyen Captain (SA Navy) M.T. Mahloana |
| 4. | Australia | Commander Michael Doncaster Ms Grace Fuller |
| 5. | Mozambique | Captain Carlos Miguel De Castanheira E Cossa Captain Armando Jamal Charamadane |
| 6. | Saudi Arabia | Captain Ahmad Bin Abdulrahman Al-Asimi Captain Faisal Bin Hazza Al-Zahrani |
| 7. | Thailand | Commander Surachai Saiwongpanya Commander Phuvajak Phuvanatnaranubala |
| 8. | Bangladesh | Captain Muhammad Nurunnabi Khandaker Commander A T M Reza E Rabbi |
| 9. | Sri Lanka | Captain GHG S Udayanga Commander (W) HMASK Herath |
| 10. | Russia | Captain Andrei Diakonov Commander Evgeny Shubin Lieutenant Commander Sergei Kostenko |
| 11. | France | Captain Philippe Vauterin |
| 12. | Kenya | Colonel Basil M Mwakale, Resident DA |
| 13. | India | Commander M C Chandeep Commander Navneet |
3.0 Scheduled of Events
3.1 PROGRAMME - IONS WORKING GROUP MEETING ON MARSEC 23 - 25 JUN 25 AT NEW DELHI
23 June 2025, Monday
| Time | Activity | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 1900 | Departure from Hotel | |
| 1930 | Delegates Arrive Kota House | |
| 1930-2010 | Cocktails | At Suryagarh, Kota House |
| 2010-2015 | Welcome Address | RAdm Nirbhay Bapna, VSM, ACNS (FCI) |
| 2015-2045 | Cocktails | |
| 2045 onwards | Ice Breaker Dinner | Shirt and Trouser (without tie) |
PROCEEDINGS- 23 June 2025
4.0 Ice Breaker Dinner
4.1 Ice Breaker dinner was hosted by Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna, VSM, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Foreign Co-operation) for participating delegates on 22 June 2025 at Kota House.
24 June 2025, Tuesday
| Time | Activity | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 0915-0930 | Arrival of Delegates at Kota House | Summer Working Rig |
| 0930-0945 | Group Photography | Kota House Lawns |
| 1000-1005 | AV on IN's Maritime Security Operations | At Kota House Conference Hall |
| 1005-1015 | Key Note Address | RAdm Nirbhay Bapna, VSM, ACNS (FCI) |
| 1015-1025 | Presentation on ‘Maritime Security Challenges in IOR and Opportunities for Collaboration through IONS- IN Perspective by Commander Sandeep Khuntia, Indian Navy. | |
| 1025-1030 | Q & A Session | |
| 1030-1100 | Tea Break | At Udaigarh, Kota House |
| 1100-1105 | Opening Remarks | Commodore Kartik Srimal, YSM, Commodore (FC) |
| 1105-1115 | Presentation on ‘Collaboration in IONS Working Group on MARSEC’ by Commander Micheal Doncaster, Royal Australia Navy. | |
| 1115-1120 | Q & A Session | |
| 1120-1130 | Presentation on ‘Maritime Security in the Era of Autonomous Platforms and Fast changing threat landscape in the IOR’ by Captain Sagara Udayanga, Sri Lanka Navy. | |
| 1130-1135 | Q & A Session | |
| 1135-1200 | Presentation and Demonstration on NISHAR | |
| 1200-1300 | Discussion on previous IWG MARSEC Resolutions | |
| 1300-1430 | Lunch | At Udaigarh, Kota House |
| 1500-1700 | Visit to National Museum | Guided Tour of National Museum |
PROCEEDINGS - 24 Jun 2025
5.0 Keynote Address
5.1 Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna, VSM, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Foreign Co-operation) delivered the Keynote address. During his address ACNS (FC) highlighted the progress made by Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) in various domains. He laid emphasis on the need to translate IONS progress into actionable outcomes.
6.0 Opening Remarks by Chair
6.1 Commodore Kartik Srimal, the Chair, welcomed all delegates for their participation in the IONS Working Group meeting MARSEC-25. His address dwelled upon the complex maritime space and troubled times due to ongoing conflicts. He mentioned that maritime security threats are increasing due to easier access to latest technology and weapons to state and non-state actors. He emphasised that presence is no longer deterrence, therefore there is a need to have a ‘De novo’ look at Maritime security in order to prepare ourselves to counter future threats in Maritime Security domain.
7.0 Presentations by Participating Nations
7.1 Seven presentations were delivered during IWG MARSEC-25 by representatives from participating nations on the theme of ‘Maritime Security Challenges in IOR and Opportunities for Collaboration through IONS’.
| Presentation Title | Presented by | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maritime Security Challenges in IOR and Opportunities for Collaboration through IONS | Commander Sandeep Khuntia, Indian Navy | The presentation highlighted contemporary maritime threats in the Indian Ocean Region and discussed IN’s deployments in the recent past to ensure Maritime Security in the region. The presentation also shared India's perspective on enhancing collaborative mechanisms through the IONS framework for addressing maritime security challenges. |
| Collaboration in IONS Working Group on MARSEC | Commander Michael Doncaster, Royal Australia Navy | The presentation outlined Australia's perspective on maritime security collaboration within IONS. The officer highlighted the Indian Ocean's importance for Australia. Owing to its shared coastline with the Indian Ocean, vital offshore resources and their dependency on Indian Ocean waters for exports. He also underscored that IONS members are grappling with constraints of limited resources and competing priorities and therefore collective effort is necessary to ensure maritime security. |
| Maritime Security in the Era of Autonomous Platforms and Fast Changing Threat Landscape in the IOR | Captain Sagara Udayanga, Sri Lanka Navy | The presentation addressed evolving maritime security challenges focusing on threats from autonomous platforms and unmanned systems. The presentation talked about the proliferation of low-cost, high-impact autonomous vehicles used by state and non-state actors. A case study of Houthi rebels was used to demonstrate how non-state actors are disrupting global trade routes using affordable drone technology. The Officer recommended the creation of a regional ’Maritime Hub’ to address these emerging Maritime Security challenges. |
| Presentation and demonstration on NISHAR (Network for Information Sharing) was undertaken for all delegates | Commander Vikram Jaydev, Indian Navy | The presentation showcased features and security overlays of the system and its employability for enabling Information exchange among IONS navies operating together in the Indian Ocean Region for Maritime Security. Following aspects on the utilisation of NISHAR were highlighted during the question and answer session: i. The NISHAR MITRA terminals are capable of being deployed in operation centres as well as Ships. ii. Capability for seamless integration of external sources like AIS, GPS, and radar picture. iii. Multi-layered security architecture based on post quantum cryptography which makes it a robust system for joint exercises. |
8.0 Discussion on Previous IWG Resolutions
8.1 Commander M C Chandeep, IN delegate, gave an update on resolutions adopted during the IWG MARSEC meeting held at Tehran, Iran in 2022 were tabled. Details of discussion are as follows:
The conduct of a virtual workshop to share the studies and experiences on emerging threats was proposed by IN. South Africa Navy representatives supported the proposal to conduct a virtual workshop. The chair requested member countries to volunteer for the conduct of workshops.
The discussions brought out that the document was long pending and all members were requested to analyse the document and forward their comments within a feasible time frame. It was proposed that the document needs to be reviewed post incorporation of comments received. The chair indicated that the Indian Navy is to undertake a comprehensive review of Maritime Security Guidelines.
The Oman representative indicated that ITP could not be validated during the Sea Phase of IMEX 24. The chair requested all members to forward comments on ITP and commented that IN would undertake updating of the publication and subsequent validation during IMEX scheduled in 2026-27.
IN proposed to enhance scope of IMEX to include biennial theme cycles for conducting Table Top Exercises (TTX) and IMEX on the same theme. All participants concurred with the Indian Navy proposal for enhancing the scope of IMEX.
9.0 Standardisation of Information Sharing Platform
9.1 During the discussions, delegates' views were sought on standardising information sharing platforms for improving interoperability among the IONS navies. This was followed by engaging discussions on features of NISHAR and IORIS. Sri Lanka proposed NISHAR to be accepted as the standard information sharing device which was seconded by Mozambique. French and Australian representatives recommended IORIS. Consensus was obtained that both can be evaluated during future editions of IMEX for choosing the best suitable option.
PROCEEDINGS - 25 JUN 2025
25 June 2025, Wednesday
| Time | Activity | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 0930-0945 | Arrival of Delegates at Kota House | Summer Working Rig |
| 0945-0955 | Presentation on ‘Maritime Security” Challenges facing South Africa and the wider Southern Africa development Community’ by Captain M Van Rooyen, South Africa Navy | |
| 0955-1000 | Q & A Session | |
| 1000-1010 | Presentation on ‘Maritime Security Environment and Assessment-RTN Perspective’ by Commander Surachai Saiwongpanya, Royal Thailand Navy. | |
| 1010-1015 | Q & A Session | |
| 1015-1025 | Presentation on “Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing: A Challenge for the Indian Ocean Region” by, Captain Muhammad Nurunnabi Khandaker (G), psc, Bangladesh Navy | |
| 1025-1030 | Q & A Session | |
| 1030-1100 | Tea Break | |
| 1100-1145 | Discussion and Finalisation of New Resolutions | |
| 1145-1150 | Closing Remarks | Commodore Kartik Srimal, YSM, Commodore (FC) |
| 1150-1215 | Presentation of Mementos | |
| 1215-1330 | Lunch | |
| PM 25/26 | Departure |
| Presentation Title | Presented by | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maritime Security Challenges facing South Africa and the wider Southern Africa Development Community | Captain M Van Rooyen, South Africa Navy | The presentation highlighted the effect of the Red Sea crisis on Maritime traffic. Further, the presentation threw light on the ongoing Maritime security situation in the Cabo Delgado region and IUU fishing in the region. The delegate also mentioned that South Africa is planning to conduct 'Op Copper’ with participation of Mozambique and Tanzania under the aegis of Southern African Development Community (SADC). |
| Maritime Security Environment and Assessment | Commander Surachai Saiwongpanya, Royal Thailand Navy | The presentation assessed the maritime security environment in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on US-China strategic competition and key flashpoints including Taiwan, South China Sea, and Malacca Strait. The officer discussed Thailand's international co-operation frameworks which includes co-ordinated patrols (CORPAT) and RTN's bilateral or multilateral exercises. |
| Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing | Captain Muhammad Nurunnabi Khandaker (G), Psc, Bangladesh Navy | The presentation covered the ill effects of IUU fishing and how it was impacting overall maritime security in the IOR. IOR's vast geography, porous maritime boundaries and limited enforcement capacity of littorals was cited as the primary reasons for the rise of IUU fishing in the region. The Officer opined that IONS is uniquely positioned to address the menace of IUU through collaborative maritime surveillance, joint patrols and collective enforcement. |
10.0 Discussion on Proposed Resolutions
10.1 The delegates reviewed and discussed the proposed resolutions. During the discussions, the delegates from Oman confirmed that IONS Tactical Publication was not validated during the previous edition of IMEX. The delegate from Sri Lankas requested that the IONS member countries may be invited as observers during upcoming IONS Maritime Exercises.
11.0 Resolutions of IWG MARSEC-25
11.1 Following resolutions were adopted during IWG MARSEC 25:
The Indian Navy is to undertake review of IWG MARSEC guidelines zero draft. Members to forward comments to IN by 30 Sep 25.
IWG members host annual exercises in order to enhance collaboration and interoperability using common information sharing platforms such as IORIS/NISHAR.
IONS Members to conduct virtual workshops on emerging/ future Maritime Security Threats including experience sharing. Volunteers to forward suggested themes and dates on conduct by 31 Aug (for the period 30 Sep 25 - 31 Jan 26).
Validation of IONS Tactical Publication (ITP) during IMEX planned in 2026/ 27. Members forward comments to the Indian Navy by 30 Sep 25.
12.0 Closing Remarks
12.1 In his closing remarks, The Chair commended all participating nations for their commitment to support the initiatives under IONS. The Chair remarked that IONS founders envisioned IONS as a platform for co-operation and collaboration where member nations do not always need capacity or capability. Instead, willingness to co-operate is sufficient, as IONS is all about inclusivity. He concluded by complimenting each participant for their valuable contribution in making the IWG MARSEC 25 successful.
13.0 Way Forward
13.1 All participants agreed to work together towards enhancing Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean Region using the IONS framework of IWG MARSEC. The delegates committed to implement the adopted resolutions in letter and spirit for the larger good of regional maritime security and stability.
14.0 Photographs
