Important To Maintain Indian Ocean Region As Free, Open, Inclusive Space: EAM Jaishankar

EAM Jaishankar said India will continue its approach to build capacity and secure safety and security in the Indian Ocean Region, including as the first responder and a net security provider.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday called on all nations in the Indian Ocean Region to build up strong cooperation to build a prosperous community. He said: "It is important to maintain the Indian Ocean as a free, open and inclusive space based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS)." 

Speaking at the 23rd meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) council of ministers, where India is the vice-chair for the 2023-25 term, Jaishankar said: "India's priorities are clear- it is our effort to develop an Indian Ocean community that is stable & prosperous, strong and resilient and which is able to cooperate closely within and respond to happenings beyond the ocean."

He said India will continue its approach to build capacity and secure safety and security in the Indian Ocean Region, including as the first responder and a net security provider. "India’s commitment to the well-being and progress of nations of the Indian Ocean is based on our 'Neighbourhood First' policy, the SAGAR outlook, our approach to the extended neighbourhood and to the Indo-Pacific region," Jaishankar said. He said the Indian Ocean must be revived as a strong community based on multilateral rules of international order, along with respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Highlighting the crucial role of women in development, Jaishankar said the IORA should harness the power of women, or 'nari shakti', by shifting the focus to women-led advancements in all sectors. "The significance of the democratisation of technology in bridging the data divide and promoting 'data for development' cannot be over-exaggerated in IORA’s quest for prosperity," he added.

Jaishankar further asserted that as the vice-chair for the next two years, India, "the 'vishwa mitra', or the world’s friend, a voice of the Global South", will work with IORA members to strengthen the institutional, financial, and legal framework of the Indian Ocean Region. 

The 23-nation IORA is composed of India, Australia, Bangladesh, Union of Comoros, France, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Apart from them, there are 11 dialogue partners of IORA.