Consider the following in respect of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) : 1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy. 2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region. Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

Gives a specific example that conferences of Indian Ocean littoral states have been held long before 2015 (e.g., first conference at Cairo in 1964).

A student could use this pattern to infer that multilateral Indian Ocean forums have earlier origins and so should check IONS founding date against earlier conference history.

Shows India had established major regional maritime/Indian Ocean institutions (e.g., tsunami warning centre in 2007) well before 2015.

One might extend this to expect India’s involvement in regional naval forums earlier than 2015 and therefore verify whether IONS began before or after such institutions.

Describes India’s significant geopolitical role and cooperative programmes with littoral states of the Indian Ocean.

A student could use India’s longstanding regional engagement as a reason to check records of multilateral naval initiatives (like IONS) across a broader multi-year timeline, not just 2015.

Emphasises India’s central geographical and strategic position in the Indian Ocean, implying India is a likely host/participant but not proving timing.

Combine this with external timelines (e.g., list of IONS meetings) to judge whether India hosted the inaugural meeting or hosted at a later date.

Notes historical naval presences and foreign bases in the Indian Ocean region, indicating longstanding naval activity in the area.

Use this to motivate checking when formal regional naval dialogue forums like IONS were initiated relative to prior naval activity.

States India 'occupies an important geographical position in the central arc of the Indian Ocean' and has 'significant economic and technical co-operation programmes in the littoral states'.

A student could reason that a country with central geographic position and active cooperation programmes is likely to lead or chair regional maritime initiatives, so they should check records of initial IONS leadership for Indian chairing.

Describes India setting up regional ocean initiatives (DOARS, National Tsunami Early Warning Centre) and plans for networking with neighbouring Indian Ocean states.

From India initiating regional maritime/technical cooperation, a student might infer India had the institutional capability and precedent to chair multilateral Indian Ocean forums and should verify whether IONS followed that pattern.

Records direct deployment of Indian naval forces in the region (Maldives 1988), showing India exercises operational naval leadership in the Indian Ocean littoral.

Operational naval leadership suggests the Indian Navy could plausibly have been chosen to chair a regional naval symposium; a student could use this pattern to prioritize checking Indian Navy involvement in IONS' inception.

Notes presence of multiple foreign naval powers in the Indian Ocean, implying regional naval forums might be chaired by a prominent littoral navy as a counterbalance.

Given foreign naval presence, a student could reason organizers might select a strong regional navy (e.g., India) to chair inaugural talks and should compare lists of chairs to test the statement.

Mentions historical conferences of heads of littoral states (first held in Cairo 1964), indicating a pattern of multilateral Indian Ocean meetings among regional states.

Recognizing the precedent of region-wide conferences, a student could look up procedural norms from earlier forums (who chaired/hosted) to assess whether the Indian Navy being inaugural chair of IONS fits those precedents.

Mentions littoral states seeking to 'impose voluntary restrictions' and to curb super-power rivalry — indicates regional maritime arrangements can be framed as voluntary measures.

A student could infer that regional maritime forums (like a naval symposium) might likewise be voluntary and check IONS's charter or membership rules for voluntary participation.

Records a conference of Heads of littoral states (1964) and Non-Aligned call to make the ocean a 'zone of peace' — shows precedent for informal/collective regional initiatives among Indian Ocean states.

One could compare IONS to these historical, state-led conferences to assess whether it follows the same non-binding, cooperative pattern.

Notes 47 littoral countries and their common desire for the ocean to remain a 'zone of peace' amid great-power rivalry — implies multilateral, interest-based cooperation rather than forced membership.

A student can use this to reason that naval cooperation mechanisms in the region are likely membership-based and voluntary, then verify IONS membership lists and participation rules.

Describes India's economic and technical co-operation programmes with littoral states — example of voluntary, cooperative regional engagement by states around the Indian Ocean.

Use this pattern of voluntary bilateral/multilateral cooperation to hypothesize IONS is similarly a cooperative, voluntary forum and then check official IONS documentation.

Lists 'Member countries' and 'Outreach countries' for a regional aquatic mission, illustrating that regional initiatives often have voluntary membership and outreach categories.

A student could analogize that IONS might also have a voluntary/member structure and verify by examining its membership/outreach criteria.

Identifies the existence of 47 littoral states and emphasises their concern about security and desire for the Indian Ocean to remain a 'zone of peace', implying a need for cooperative security arrangements.

A student could extend this by checking whether regional security initiatives (like IONS) are logical mechanisms these littoral states would adopt to realise a 'zone of peace'.

Notes historical conferences of heads of littoral states (e.g., Cairo 1964) calling for cooperative identification of the ocean as a zone of peace — showing a pattern of multilateral, littoral-state cooperation initiatives.

A student might infer that later, more specialised forums (naval symposia) could follow this pattern and then check IONS' stated aims to confirm.

Mentions regional organisations (ASEAN, SAARC, Indian Ocean Rim Association) as vehicles to foster regional economic and technical cooperation and to address maritime threats like piracy.

One could reasonably look for similar organisational responses focused specifically on naval cooperation (e.g., a naval symposium) to tackle maritime security challenges.

States a general need to bring economic cooperation among littoral states and advocates formation of regional organisations such as an 'Indian Ocean Community'.

A student could generalise that littoral states favour regional institutions, so checking whether a naval symposium exists to foster cooperation among navies is a plausible next step.

Highlights India's active economic and technical cooperation programmes with littoral states, indicating a precedent of bilateral/multilateral engagement in the region.

Use this pattern to hypothesise that maritime/naval cooperation forums fit within existing regional cooperation practices and then verify IONS' remit.