Why in news?
The Indian Ocean Rim Association has been in the spotlight as member states prepare for upcoming ministerial and dialogue meetings. India emphasises IORA’s role in maritime safety, trade and the Blue Economy while Sri Lanka serves as chair (2023‑25). Interest in the group reflects the growing geopolitical importance of the Indian Ocean.
Background
The idea of a regional forum for the Indian Ocean was first articulated by South African President Nelson Mandela during a visit to India in 1995. Officials and academics from seven “core group” countries (Australia, India, Kenya, Mauritius, Oman, Singapore and South Africa) met in March 1995 and established the Indian Ocean Rim Initiative. On 7 March 1997 these states and several others adopted a charter in Port Louis, Mauritius, creating the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Co‑operation (IOR‑ARC). In 2014 the group was renamed the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
IORA today has 23 member states stretching from South Africa on the west to Australia on the east. Membership is open to any Indian Ocean littoral state that subscribes to the charter. It also has 12 dialogue partners, including China, the European Union, Japan and the United States.
Objectives and principles
- To promote sustainable and balanced economic growth and development in the region.
- To enhance cooperation in trade facilitation, investment, technology and services through the principle of open regionalism.
- To remove barriers and liberalise commerce for greater flow of goods, services and capital.
- To respect sovereignty and territorial integrity and to avoid discussing bilateral disputes within the forum. All decisions are taken by consensus.
Structure and priority areas
- The Council of Foreign Ministers is the apex decision‑making body and meets annually. A Committee of Senior Officials meets twice a year to plan activities.
- Functional bodies include the IORA Business Forum, Academic Group and Women’s Economic Empowerment Working Group. Specialised agencies such as the Regional Centre for Science and Technology Transfer (RCSTT) in Tehran and the Fisheries Support Unit in Muscat support technical cooperation.
- Priority areas identified by IORA are maritime safety and security, trade and investment facilitation, fisheries management, disaster risk management, academic and scientific cooperation, tourism and cultural exchanges, the Blue Economy and women’s economic empowerment.
India’s role
India served as chair from 2011 to 2012 and continues to champion the IORA vision of “SAGAR” (Security and Growth for All in the Region). India leads initiatives on disaster management, academic cooperation and the Blue Economy and sees IORA as central to maintaining a free and open Indian Ocean.
Sources: MEA