28th Meeting of CSO of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

Context:

Recently, India hosted the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in New Delhi on 15–16 June 2026 under its current Chairship.

Key outcomes of Meeting:

• • • The meeting reviewed institutional progress, assessed priority areas of cooperation, and advanced discussions on the next IORA Action Plan (2028–2032).
    • India reaffirmed its commitment to building a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indian Ocean Region through enhanced maritime cooperation, sustainable development, and regional connectivity. The meeting also reflects India’s broader Indo-Pacific vision, where the Indian Ocean is central to trade, energy security, and strategic stability.

What is the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)?

• • • The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1997 to promote economic cooperation and regional integration among countries bordering the Indian Ocean. It was inspired by the vision of Nelson Mandela and India’s engagement in the Indian Ocean Rim Initiative (1995).
    • IORA currently brings together 23 member states, including India, Indonesia, Australia, South Africa, UAE, and others. It also has dialogue partners such as the United States, China, Japan, Russia, and the United Kingdom, reflecting its global strategic relevance. The organisation is headquartered in Mauritius, which hosts its Secretariat.

Mandate and Institutional Framework:

IORA works on the principle of open regionalism, focusing on cooperation without rigid political alignment. Its mandate is to promote sustainable development, economic cooperation, and regional stability in the Indian Ocean region.

The institutional structure includes:

• • • Council of Ministers (COM): Apex decision-making body
    • Committee of Senior Officials (CSO): Reviews implementation and priorities
    • Secretariat in Mauritius: Coordinates programmes and implementation
    • Functional bodies like working groups and academic forums support sectoral cooperation

IORA also operates through a Special Fund and member contributions to finance regional projects.

Key Focus Areas of IORA:

IORA’s cooperation agenda is broad-based and aligned with maritime and economic priorities:

• • • Maritime Safety and Security: Combating piracy, ensuring secure sea lanes, and enhancing naval coordination
    • Trade and Investment Facilitation: Reducing barriers and improving regional value chains
    • Blue Economy: Fisheries, aquaculture, renewable ocean energy, shipping, marine biotechnology, and tourism
    • Disaster Risk Management: Addressing climate-related disasters in a highly vulnerable region
    • Academic and Scientific Cooperation: Research collaboration, marine technology transfer, and capacity building
    • Women’s Economic Empowerment: Promoting gender inclusion in maritime and economic sectors
    • Tourism and Cultural Exchange: Strengthening people-to-people connectivity across the region

Benefits for India:

IORA holds strategic importance for India as it lies at the centre of the Indian Ocean maritime geography, through which a large share of global trade, energy supply, and shipping routes passes. India benefits through enhanced maritime security cooperation, economic connectivity, and regional influence. It also provides a platform to promote India’s vision of inclusive growth, sustainable development, and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Conclusion:

The 28th CSO meeting highlights India’s leadership in shaping IORA’s future, including the 2028–2032 Action Plan. Strengthening IORA is a key to tackling climate change, maritime security challenges, and developmental gaps, making it an important platform for regional stability and cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.