On 15th February, 2008, in recognition of the centrality of 'Constructive Engagement' as the primary means of achieving and assuring mutually beneficial maritime security, stability, safety, and consequent collective prosperity amongst all littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), as many as twenty-six Chiefs-of-Navy of these littoral states gathered together 'in open assembly' as also 'in conclave' in New Delhi, to launch the Twenty First Century's first significant regional maritime security initiative, namely, the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium.

'IONS' provides a regional forum through which the 'Chiefs-of-Navy' of all the littoral states of the IOR can periodically meet to constructively engage one another through the creation and promotion of regionally relevant mechanisms, events, and activities. (Within the context of 'IONS', the term 'Chief-of-Navy' is used in a generic sense. Consequently, for such countries as do not possess a formally established 'navy', the term is applicable to the 'head of the principal maritime agency').

While the inaugural event of this newly-launched cooperative, consultative and inclusive regional initiative was the "IONS Seminar-2008" held on 14 and 15 Feb 08, the 'Symposium' itself should not be confused with a 'seminar'. If the 'Symposium' is considered to be the 'set', a seminar would be a 'sub-set'. Indeed, seminars and workshops will remain important activities of the 'Symposium'.

That having been said, the inaugural seminar, which was held in the opulent setting of New Delhi's Vigyan Bhavan, was a two-day intellectual extravaganza, entirely reflective of the confidence, intellectual vibrancy and enthusiasm that now abounds in the Indian Ocean littoral. The formal theme of the seminar was:

"Contemporary Trans-national Challenges - International Maritime Connectivities"