Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, emphasized the importance of transforming the Indian Ocean into a free, open, and inclusive space, rooted in the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) during the 23rd IORA Council of Ministers Meeting. Dr. Jaishankar cautioned member states against hidden agendas, unviable projects, and unsustainable debt, stressing the need for clarity in identifying these potential pitfalls.
Addressing the press conference, he highlighted the significance of exchanging experiences, sharing best practices, and fostering greater awareness and deeper collaboration as essential components of the solution.
Dr. Jaishankar underlined India’s commitment to the well-being and progress of Indian Ocean nations, emphasizing India’s role as a first responder and a net security provider. This commitment is rooted in India’s Neighbourhood First policy, the SAGAR outlook, and its approach to the extended neighborhood.
He also outlined India’s broader vision for the Indo-Pacific, which emphasizes a rules-based international order, the rule of law, sustainable and transparent infrastructure investment, freedom of navigation and over-flight, and sincere respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. India’s initiative to adopt IORA’s outlook on the Indo-Pacific at the 22nd Council of Ministers’ meeting is a testament to its dedication to this vision.
Dr. Jaishankar stressed that the Indian Ocean, apart from being a significant body of water, is a vital economic and strategic corridor that plays a central role in the development and prosperity of nations in and around the region. He invoked India’s message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ meaning ‘the world is one family,’ as a unifying force for IORA member states.
The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) brings together 23 member states, including India, with a shared objective of harnessing the immense potential of the region for the benefit of all. India, given its extensive coastline, maritime interests, and historical ties, fully appreciates the importance of fostering collaboration and dialogue in the Indian Ocean.
Sri Lanka has taken on the chairship of IORA, an inter-governmental organization composed of 23 Indian Ocean littoral states as members and 11 dialogue partners, for the period from 2023 to 2025. Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry emphasized Sri Lanka’s advocacy for the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace.
