India expresses commitment to peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region

Tags: Summits International News

India participated in the 22nd Council of Ministers's meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) held at Dhaka in Bangladesh on 23 November, 2022.

Important facts

• India voiced its strong commitment to the strengthening of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to promote peace, security and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region and in the Indo-Pacific.

• The Indian delegation was led by Minister of State for External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh.

• He also highlighted India's contribution as coordinator of IORA priority areas of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and science, technology and innovation for capacity building and strengthening of IORA Secretariat.

• On the challenges posed by climate change, the Minister highlighted the initiatives of LiFE - Lifestyle for Environment and International Year of Millet in 2023.

Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

• It is an international organisation consisting of coastal states bordering the Indian Ocean.

• It has been formed with the aim of increasing cooperation among the countries of the Indian Ocean Region and making joint efforts for sustainable development.

• It includes 21 countries along the coast of the Indian Ocean including India and 7 dialogue partners.

• These 21 countries include India, Australia, Iran, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Malaysia, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Singapore, Mauritius, Madagascar, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Seychelles, Somalia, Comoros and Oman.

• It was formed in 1997 and its secretariat is in Mauritius.