India affirms commitment to strengthen Indian Ocean Rim Association

Our Correspondent

Imphal, Nov. 25 (EMN): Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education Dr. RK Ranjan Singh reaffirmed India’s strong commitment to strengthening Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), the largest and pre-eminent organisation in the Indian Ocean Region, to promote peace, security and prosperity in the region as well as in the wider Indo-Pacific.

Dr. Ranjan was speaking at the 22^nd Council of Ministers’ Meeting of the IORA during his visit to Dhaka, Bangladesh, on November 24.

Dr. Ranjan highlighted India’s contributions, as coordinator of the IORA priority areas of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Science, Technology & Innovation inter alia, towards building IORA’s capacity.

India is also setting up an eOffice at the IORA Secretariat to which the Minister announced provision of e-subscription by India.

Highlighting the current global challenges to climate, food and energy security, he also called for greater cooperation on initiatives of LiFE – Lifestyle for Environment and International Year of Millet in 2023.

The 22^nd IORA-COM Meeting adopted the ‘IORA’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific' (IOIP), which would guide enhancement of IORA's engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. India led the process of development of the IOIP. The 22nd IORS – COM Meeting also adopted Dhaka Communique. The IORA ministers also endorsed India’s candidature for IORA Vice-Chair for the period 2023-25 by consensus.

On the sidelines of 22^nd IORA – COM Meeting, Dr. Ranjan also had a bilateral meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Somalia, Ali Mohamed Omar. The two sides discussed various bilateral and multilateral matters.

Prior to the IORA- COM Meeting, senior official meetings from IORA member states reviewed the entire range of IORA’s ongoing and future work and activities at the 24^th IORA Committee of senior officials’ meeting held on November 22 and 23.