At the conference, India highlighted the need to address evolving chokepoint anxieties and emphasized building trusted partnerships to enhance resilience and ensure stable, cooperative regional growth.
About IOC
- The IOC was started in 2016 by India Foundation in association with regional think tanks and institutions.
- It witnessed participation from 40+ countries.
- It has emerged as a flagship consultative forum for countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) over regional affairs and deliberates upon regional cooperation for Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and its Significance
- It encompasses 70+ million sq km, connects 35+ littoral states, and hosts ~40% of the global population.
- Significance:
- Economic & Trade Importance: Handles ~50% of global container traffic, 1/3 bulk cargo, and 2/3 oil shipments.
- Strategic & Geopolitical Value: Vital due to critical sea lanes and chokepoints (e.g., Strait of Hormuz); central to India’s security architecture with its 11,098.81 Kms coastline and 1,300+ islands at key maritime crossroads.
- Blue Economy Potential: Large EEZs (e.g., India’s EEZ is 2.4 million sq km) offer opportunities in sustainable fisheries, renewable ocean energy, eco-tourism, and marine biodiversity conservation
- Ecological & Environmental: Warmest of the world’s oceans, thus ecologically dynamic and biologically productive space.
- India’s Role in IOR: Net Security Provider (e.g., Ensures maritime security through anti-piracy and anti-narcotics operations), First Responder (HADR) (e.g., Provides rapid disaster relief), etc.
Key in Challenges in IOR
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