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?

Statement 2 is correct as IONS is a voluntary initiative designed to enhance maritime cooperation and regional security among the navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region. Statement 1 is incorrect because, while the inaugural symposium was indeed hosted by the Indian Navy, it took place in February 2008 rather than 2015. The core concept being tested is the origin and functional nature of regional maritime security architectures led by India.