Article Posted on : - Jul 23, 2009

A File Photo of IONS logo

NEW DELHI (PTI): Government Wednesday said that the United Kingdom and United States have requested "observer" status in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)- an Indian Navy initiative to secure and stabilise the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

"Navies of UK and USA have forwarded requests seeking 'Observer' status in IONS," Defence Minister A K Antony said while replying to a Rajya Sabha query.

"No such request has been received from the Chinese Navy," he added.

The minister said the United Arab Emirates would be hosting IONS next year.

Replying to another query, the Minister said that the Defence Ministry may review the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) annually to infuse greater transparency, keep pace with changing times and encourage involvement of indigenous industry.

On the Defence Ministry surrendering Rs 7,000 crore for the last fiscal, Antony said, "a cut was imposed by the Finance Ministry at the revised estimates stage and it was not a surrender by the Ministry.