Charting a route for IORA under Indias chairship, Pg 6

Indias Priorities as Chair

• India to chair IORA (2025), aims at funding expansion, data-driven policy tools, and maritime education via academic linkages.

Challenges to IORA

• Low budget, member-dependent; funds insufficient for areas like fisheries, disaster risk, tech.

• Lacks major power influence, driven by developing nations; needs broader resource mobilisation.

Enhancing Engagement

• Suggestion to involve private maritime stakeholders in policy-making.

• Indias SAGAR vision aligns with IORA; can leverage ties with France, Singapore, UAE for tech and investment support.

Analysis & Way Forward

• India must strengthen IORAs institutional capacity and mainstream traditional maritime knowledge.

• Push for blue economy reforms via digital tools and marine education.

Mains Mock Question:

"Evaluate the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in Indias regional maritime policy. Suggest how India can enhance its leadership role in IORA."