Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and India’s Role: Navigating Blue Diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific

The Indian Ocean has long been a cradle of civilizations, trade, and cultural exchange. Today, it has emerged as a critical maritime zone that binds over 30% of the global population and serves as a key transit point for global commerce and energy supplies. In this strategic landscape, the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) plays a central role in fostering regional cooperation. With India set to chair IORA from November 2025, the platform is poised for renewed dynamism, especially in light of India’s strategic maritime vision under SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

Introduction:

What is the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)?

Established in 1997, IORA is an intergovernmental regional organization comprising 23 member states and 10 dialogue partners, all of which lie adjacent to or within the Indian Ocean.

Founding Objective-

To strengthen regional cooperation and sustainable development.
Promote maritime safety, economic cooperation, disaster management, and the blue economy.
Act as a platform for collaboration on shared challenges such as security threats, climate change, and marine resource management.

Why the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Matters:

Strategic Significance-

The Indian Ocean is a global trade artery:
- Transports nearly 75% of global trade volume.
- Carries around 50% of the world’s daily oil consumption.
Major sea lanes of communication (SLOCs) such as the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Malacca Strait run through the IOR.
The region accounts for over $1 trillion in goods and services and $800 billion in intra-IORA trade (2023 figures).

Geopolitical Stakes-

The IOR has become a battleground for influence among global powers, including China, the U.S., and regional stakeholders like India and Australia.
The region is susceptible to piracy, terrorism, human and drug trafficking, and illegal fishing.

Environmental and Governance Challenges-

Climate change, rising sea levels, and frequent natural disasters (cyclones, tsunamis) severely impact coastal nations.
Many IORA countries face poor maritime infrastructure, limited disaster resilience, and weak governance mechanisms.

India and IORA: A Leadership Opportunity:

India has been a founding member and a key contributor to IORA’s strategic vision. With the upcoming IORA Chairmanship from November 2025, India’s role becomes even more crucial in steering the organization toward actionable results.

India’s Strategic Vision: SAGAR

India's SAGAR doctrine – Security and Growth for All in the Region – perfectly aligns with IORA’s goals. It emphasizes:

Maritime security
Regional economic integration
Environmental sustainability
Collaboration with like-minded partners

India’s Key Priorities as Chair-

Enhancing IORA’s Institutional Capacity
- Improve the budgetary strength of IORA.
- Advocate for greater contributions from member states and explore external donor funding.
Digital Integration for Governance
- Digitize data for policy formulation, real-time maritime monitoring, and academic research.
- Create data-sharing platforms to assist small island and coastal states.
Blue Economy and Skilling
- Develop technical courses on:
  - Marine accounting
  - Coastal and marine biodiversity
  - Port logistics and marine tourism
- Promote blue economy jobs, especially in coastal communities.
Maritime Research and Innovation
- Set up centres of excellence in collaboration with countries like Australia, France, and Singapore for:
  - Marine biotechnology
  - Disaster resilience
  - Climate mitigation technologies
Mainstreaming Traditional Knowledge
- Integrate traditional coastal knowledge from countries like Sri Lanka, Seychelles, and Mauritius.
- Promote community-based marine conservation models.
Improving Coordination
- Strengthen the IORA Secretariat in Mauritius by:
  - Enhancing institutional bandwidth.
  - Encouraging local governance participation.
  - Deploying technical officers from member nations for faster coordination.

Challenges within IORA:

1. Funding Constraints

IORA’s operational capacity remains limited by low financial contributions from member states.
In contrast, smaller regional groupings like the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) had a $1.3 billion budget (2020–2025), largely due to EU funding.

2. Limited Private Sector Engagement

There’s minimal private investment in blue economy ventures.
Opportunities in marine biotech, ecotourism, deep-sea mining, and renewable ocean energy remain underutilized.

3. Weak Institutional Capacity

The Secretariat is under-resourced and lacks regional enforcement capabilities.
There's no permanent dispute resolution or compliance mechanism.

Way Forward: India as a Maritime Bridge:

India’s upcoming leadership must aim to reinvigorate IORA by pursuing the following:

1. Strategic Partnerships

Collaborate with:
- Australia and France – for marine science and naval cooperation.
- Singapore and UAE – for logistics and port development.
- Oman and South Africa – for maritime heritage and ocean governance.

2. Build Disaster-Resilient Coastal Infrastructure

Facilitate regional disaster early warning systems.
Co-develop sustainable coastal zones with shared best practices.

3. Foster Inclusive Maritime Governance

Ensure equal representation of island states and coastal communities in decision-making.
Promote multi-stakeholder engagement – including academia, civil society, and business.

Conclusion:

As India assumes the Chair of IORA in late 2025, it stands at a strategic inflection point. The Indian Ocean, once a stage for colonial rivalry, now holds the promise of collective prosperity, sustainable growth, and peace.

India’s vision must be holistic – combining blue diplomacy, economic cooperation, ecological balance, and strategic security. A revitalized IORA under India’s leadership can become a cornerstone for shaping a stable, inclusive, and sustainable Indo-Pacific region, fulfilling the true spirit of SAGAR.