Sri Lanka to Chair (IORA) Indian Ocean Rim Association: Significance for India?

Why IORA is in news?

• Sri Lanka to chair IORA’s Council of Ministers Meeting on October 11, 2023.
• Highlights importance of IORA for India and regional cooperation in Indian Ocean

Sri Lanka is set to take over the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) during the 23rd Council of Ministers Meeting scheduled for October 11, 2023 in Colombo. This highlights the importance of IORA as a platform for promoting regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. The IORA Council of Ministers is the highest decision-making body of the organization. Sri Lanka will be taking over the chairmanship from Bangladesh, which has held the position since 2021. The meeting in Colombo will see the participation of foreign ministers from IORA member states including India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

23rd COM Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association

At the 23rd IORA Council of Ministers Meeting in Colombo, India emphasized the importance of a rules-based international order, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

This can be seen as a veiled message to China which has been aggressively expanding its presence in the Indian Ocean region. India reiterated its approach of being a security provider and first responder in the region.

India also highlighted its priorities as vice-chair of IORA for 2023-2025 – strengthening IORA’s institutional frameworks, promoting maritime security and blue economy. Overall, India indicated its intent to play a leading role in securing a stable and prosperous Indian Ocean through multilateral cooperation platforms like IORA.

IORA’s Importance

The Indian Ocean Rim Association was established in 1997 to strengthen regional collaboration and sustainable development among countries bordering the Indian Ocean. With Sri Lanka chairing the IORA for the next two years, it presents an opportunity for enhanced engagement between India and its maritime neighbors. This assumes significance amid China’s increasing presence and influence across the Indo-Pacific.

India has been a founding member of IORA along with South Africa. As Sri Lanka takes charge, India can utilize the forum for greater cooperation in areas such as maritime security, disaster management and promoting regional connectivity. This aligns with India’s Act East policy and strategic vision for the Indian Ocean region. Overall, Sri Lanka’s chairmanship comes at an opportune time for consolidating India’s leadership role and shaping a stable regional order.

What is IORA?

About

• Intergovernmental organization established in 1997
• Aims to promote regional cooperation in Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is an intergovernmental organization that was established in 1997. Its key objective is to promote regional cooperation and sustainable development among countries bordering the Indian Ocean.

IORA represents an important forum for engagement between South Asian, Southeast Asian, West Asian and East African nations. It provides a platform for Member States to exchange ideas, share experiences and engage in strategic discussions to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.

Membership of IORA

• 23 member states
• 11 dialogue partners
• Newest member: France

IORA has a total membership of 23 countries, including India, Indonesia, Kenya, Oman, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka and other littoral states of the Indian Ocean.

In addition, IORA has 11 Dialogue Partners namely China, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russia, United Kingdom, United States of America and the European Union. The inclusion of Dialogue Partners reflects IORA’s outward orientation and focus on building constructive partnerships.

France is the newest member having joined IORA in 2020. Expanding membership highlights IORA’s growing relevance in the Indian Ocean strategic landscape.

Structure of IORA

• Apex body: Council of Ministers
• Committee of Senior Officials
• Secretariat based in Mauritius

The apex body of IORA is the Council of Ministers (COM) which meets annually. There is also a Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) comprising representatives from all Member States that meets twice a year.

The IORA Secretariat, located in Ebene, Mauritius, serves as the coordinating and administrative hub responsible for implementing IORA’s policies and projects.

Roles and Functions

• Coordinates policies and projects adopted by member states
• Focuses on trade, maritime security, disaster management etc.

As an organization, IORA aims to coordinate regional cooperation among its Member States across six priority areas:

• Maritime Safety and Security
• Trade and Investment Facilitation
• Fisheries Management
• Disaster Risk Management
• Academic and Science & Technology Cooperation
• Tourism and Cultural Exchanges

The key focus is on building regional capacity, mobilizing investments, sharing of expertise and strengthening institutional mechanisms to address common challenges.

IORA also facilitates track 1.5 and track II dialogues to encourage engagement among policymakers, officials, academics, scholars and business leaders. Through such activities, IORA promotes people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges across the Indian Ocean region.

India and IORA

• India founding member along with South Africa
• India to hold chairmanship 2025-2027
• Aligns with India’s Act East policy
• Counters China’s influence in Indian Ocean

India has been a founding member of IORA along with South Africa and remains one of its key proponents. India is set to hold the IORA chairmanship from 2025-2027, which will provide further opportunities to shape the organization’s agenda.

IORA membership aligns closely with India’s Act East policy and neighborhood first approach. It serves as an important multilateral platform that connects India with crucial maritime neighbors across the Indian Ocean littoral.

Moreover, India’s active role in IORA counters China’s expanding influence in the region. As China bolsters its trade, infrastructure and strategic ties with Indian Ocean countries, India can utilize IORA to promote itself as a net security provider in the region.

Significance for Regional Cooperation

• Promotes trade, connectivity, people-to-people contacts
• Addresses maritime security, environment etc.
• Fosters inclusive regional framework

IORA promotes greater regional integration between Member States through trade, connectivity, tourism, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contact.

The forum addresses shared challenges related to maritime safety and security, disaster risk management and protection of the marine ecosystem. IORA facilitates coordination among Member States to tackle issues such as piracy, illegal fishing, climate change risks and maritime pollution.

Overall, IORA fosters an open, inclusive and consultative architecture for engagement among Indian Ocean countries based on consensus-building. It provides a platform for smaller nations to have their voice heard on the global stage.

Final Thoughts

• Sri Lanka’s chairmanship significant for strengthening IORA
• India should utilize IORA for greater regional cooperation

Sri Lanka’s assumption of IORA chairmanship comes at an opportune time to strengthen the organization and drive a progressive agenda. India should fully utilize IORA under Sri Lanka’s leadership to enhance regional cooperation spanning security, economic and socio-cultural spheres. With the Indian Ocean taking centrestage in global geopolitics, a robust IORA framework is key for India to secure its strategic interests in the region.