Answer

The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), established in 1997, is an inter-governmental organization aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region through its 23 Member States spanning Africa, West Asia, South Asia, South East Asia, Australia, and the surrounding Indian Ocean littoral states and 11 Dialogue Partners. Recently, 23rd Council of Ministers’ (COM) meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)  was hosted by Sri Lanka, the current IORA Chair.

Fig 1: 23 Member States

Priority and Focus Areas

• Maritime Safety and Security: IORA member states work together to combat piracy, enhance maritime domain awareness, and respond to security threats, which is essential for the region's stability and trade.

○  For ex: The Indian Ocean Dialogue (IOD) serves as a platform where academics and policymakers from IORA member states convene to deliberate on pertinent issues including MSS.

○  International cooperation for anti-piracy has been one of the fine success stories. Earlier in Somalia and Gulf of Aden etc. there was the issue of piracy which have now been contained.

• Trade and Investment Facilitation: Promoting trade and investment among member states is a key focus. Efforts are made to reduce trade barriers, simplify customs procedures, and create a conducive environment for economic activities etc.

○  For ex: The IORBF (Indian Ocean Rim Business Forum) convenes business representatives from IORA Member States and Dialogue Partners to advise IORA ministers and officials on business issues and ways to accelerate intra-regional trade and increase investment flows in the region.

• Disaster Risk Management: Member countries cooperate on preparedness, response, and recovery, ensuring a coordinated approach to mitigate the impact of disasters.

○  For ex: IORA in collaboration with the IOC-UNESCO held the International Symposium on Tsunami Early Warning Systems in 2019.

• Blue Economy: IORA members work on projects related to fisheries, aquaculture, marine renewable energy, and coastal zone management, contributing to economic growth and environmental sustainability.

○  For ex: The IORA Sustainable Development Program (ISDP) aimed to bridge the economic disparities among member states, particularly targeting the least developed nations. It does so by facilitating the exchange of best practices in the field of the Blue Economy.

Importance of IORA for India

• Economic Growth and Trade: The Indian Ocean is a vital maritime region for India's trade and commerce. A substantial portion of India's international trade, including crucial energy resources, passes through the Indian Ocean.

○  For ex: 80% of global oil trade and 33% of its bulk cargo passes through it. The region produces a combined total of $1 trillion in goods and services and intra-IORA trade is billed at around $800 billion

• Geopolitical Importance: IORA serves as a "safe space" for India and other regional countries seeking to avoid the pressures of major-power rivalries, providing a platform for cooperation that remains outside the sphere of big-power competition.

○  For ex: China is actively engaging India's neighbors through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and various forums that exclude India. China is also developing a Blue Water Navy and significant presence in Indian Ocean

• Security and Maritime Safety: IORA emphasizes maritime safety and security, aligning with India's interests in safeguarding sea lanes and countering security threats.

○  For ex: It is home to several important chokepoints, such as the Strait of Malacca and the Bab-el-Mandeb strait.

• Blue Economy: IORA promotes the sustainable development of the blue economy, which aligns with India's "Blue Economy" initiatives.

○  For ex:  India aims to target over 100 billion “Blue Economy” through its Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) and ocean resources.

Therefore, India's strategic aim is to preserve the Indian Ocean as a "free, open, and inclusive space" while upholding the principles of "respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas. India's engagement with the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is a top priority, focusing on sustainable regional development and a unique cooperation initiative on the blue economy. The country's participation in the Indian Ocean Commission and its SAGAR vision highlights its commitment to the region's well-being and overarching Sustainable Development Goals 2030.