‘Maritime security is of primordial importance to Indian Ocean Region’, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• India chairs the 23-nation Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), with a leaders’ summit expected in 2027.
• The government is expected to focus on challenges arising from the West Asia conflict, including violence and Hormuz Strait blockades.
• Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful stated that the "ideal of the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace” has been negated.
• The IORA Summit in 2027 will mark the organisation’s 30th anniversary.

Detailed Insights:

• The war in West Asia has raised concerns about maritime safety and security, impacting energy security, food security, and livelihoods in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• IORA will discuss the socio-economic impact of the conflict, focusing on maritime safety, trade, fisheries, disaster risk management, tourism, cultural exchanges, blue economy, and women’s economic empowerment.
• Disruptions in the Indian Ocean can deeply affect the region's economy, impacting tourism, fuel prices, and agricultural productivity due to potential fertilizer shortages.
• The Indian Ocean Dialogue, a "track 1.5" conference, will initiate a series of meetings as India aims to revitalize the IORA.
• Formed in 1997, the IORA has not achieved the prominence of other regional groupings like SAARC, BIMSTEC, SCO, or Quad.
• IORA is significant in India’s MAHASAGAR maritime policy and Indo-Pacific strategy, and is less contentious for India as Pakistan has never been admitted to its ranks.

Key Concepts Involved:

• MAHASAGAR: India's vision for the Indian Ocean, emphasizing cooperation and collective responsibility for maritime security.
• Blue Economy: Sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.
• MFN Status: Treating all trade partners equally, so that they enjoy the best treatment a country offers to any trade partner.

IORA