UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23rd March 2025

Home UPSC Current Affairs Steering IORA: India’s Leadership, Regional Cooperation & Geopolitical Balancing in the Indo-Pacific

Steering IORA: India’s Leadership, Regional Cooperation & Geopolitical Balancing in the Indo-Pacific

What is IORA?

The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is a 23-member intergovernmental regional organization founded in 1997. It connects Asia, Africa, and Australia, aiming to promote maritime safety, trade cooperation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development. The IORA also has 10 dialogue partners, including China, the U.S., EU, and Japan.

India’s Chairship and Strategic Priorities

India will assume Chairship of IORA from November 2025 to 2027, currently serving as Vice-Chair. India’s goals are:

Boosting IORA’s budget through partnerships and private sector support.
Integrating technology for data and policy management.
Creating maritime-focused education and research programs to build regional capacity.

India intends to align IORA goals with its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision for an inclusive, secure maritime order.

Strategic Importance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)

75% of global trade and 50% of daily oil supply passes through IOR.
IOR generates $1 trillion+ in economic value annually; intra-IORA trade reached $800 billion in 2023.
Despite its promise, the region is marked by:
- Weak institutional structures
- Funding deficits
- Environmental degradation
- Piracy, trafficking, and maritime terrorism

China’s Growing Role and Great Power Dynamics

Though not a full member, China is an IORA Dialogue Partner and increasingly active in the Indian Ocean via:
- Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) maritime infrastructure (e.g., Gwadar, Hambantota)
- Investments in port diplomacy, logistics hubs, and military facilities
- Influence in smaller IORA states via debt-financed development
The Indian Ocean has become a theatre for strategic contestation between India and China, especially as India seeks to preserve regional autonomy and prevent IORA from becoming Beijing-centric.
The U.S., EU, and France are also dialogue partners aiming to counterbalance China’s footprint, making IORA a critical forum for multilateral maritime governance without overt military alliances.

Challenges to IORA’s Effectiveness

Budget constraints: Relies heavily on contributions from developing nations; lacks a sustainable funding mechanism.
Secretariat capacity: Small and under-resourced (based in Mauritius).
Implementation Gaps: Limited execution of projects under IORA’s six priority areas (e.g., Blue Economy, Disaster Risk Management).
Geopolitical balancing: Must retain neutrality and inclusiveness, despite growing power rivalries.

India’s Strategic Opportunities

Raise Resources: Tap private maritime sectors — shipping, fisheries, tourism — for funding and knowledge-sharing.
Harness Digital Governance: Use AI, data tools, and regional innovation to strengthen coordination.
Advance Education: Promote marine science, blue economy, and climate resilience through regional academic hubs.
Lead Collaborations: Build regional trust by partnering with:
- Australia (marine research),
- France & Singapore (marine tech),
- UAE & Oman (investments),
- Sri Lanka & Seychelles (traditional marine knowledge)

Key Points

Aspect	Detail
IORA HQ	Mauritius
Founded	1997
India’s Vision	SAGAR (2015) – Security and Growth for All in the Region
IORA’s Six Priorities	Maritime safety, trade, fisheries, disaster risk management, tourism, academic cooperation
Major Dialogue Partners	China, U.S., EU, Japan, UK, Germany
China’s Strategy	Uses BRI, port infrastructure, and loans to increase influence in small IORA states
India’s Advantage	Geography, diplomatic goodwill, institutional linkages, and leadership in climate and blue economy initiatives
Global Relevance	Indian Ocean connects 3 continents; emerging arena for non-aligned, multilateral maritime cooperation
Threats in IOR	Piracy, maritime terrorism, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, environmental risks

Conclusion

As India prepares to lead IORA, it has a unique opportunity to strengthen rules-based maritime governance, enhance blue economy collaboration, and counterbalance the strategic influence of China without undermining IORA’s consensus-based ethos. A future-ready IORA, steered by India’s leadership, could emerge as a model of inclusive multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific maritime order — one that serves development, security, and sustainability alike.