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India is set to become the chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in November 2025, currently serving as vice-chair.
India plans to improve IORA’s governance, increase its budget, enhance data management with technology, and develop maritime courses in collaboration with institutions.
What is the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)?
IORA is an intergovernmental organization for promoting economic cooperation and regional integration among countries bordering the Indian Ocean.
It was established on March 7, 1997, following the idea of the Indian Ocean Rim Initiative (IORI) initiated by South African President Nelson Mandela in 1995.
IORA includes 23 member states and 10 dialogue partners from Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
23 member states: Australia, Bangladesh, the Comoros, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
India’s Role and Strategic Contributions in IORA
India’s "Security and Growth for All in the Region" (SAGAR) vision aligns with IORA’s goals of maritime security, economic cooperation, and sustainable development.
Diplomatic and Economic Ties: India aims to leverage its strong relations with IORA members to foster long-term cooperative solutions.
Enhancing Budget: India plans to secure sustainable funding for IORA through public-private partnerships, especially from maritime sectors like shipping, oil, and tourism.
Technology Integration: India aims to improve data governance and decision-making through digital tools.
Maritime Capacity Building: India will collaborate with academic institutions to offer marine-focused courses and develop a skilled workforce.
What are the Challenges Faced by IORA?
Financial Constraints: IORA's budget is largely dependent on member-state contributions, limiting its ability to expand operations.
Resource-Intensive Areas: IORA's growing mandate in areas like maritime safety, fisheries management, and blue economy requires significant financial and institutional resources.
IORA struggles to attract private sector engagement from key maritime industries.
Limited Institutional Capacity: IORA’s Secretariat in Mauritius operates with limited resources and staff, affecting its effectiveness.
Inadequate data management systems hinder efficient policy formulation and decision-making.
Way Forward
India’s leadership in IORA will focus on strengthening regional cooperation, increasing resource mobilization, and enhancing financial sustainability.
Collaborations between industry and academia are essential for building a skilled maritime workforce and driving innovation.
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