| Introduction: Give a brief description of IOR Body: Analyse effectiveness of regional frameworks addressing issues of IOR Conclusion: Way forward |
The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) comprises of the Indian Ocean and the countries bordering it- Australia, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Myanmar) and four island states (Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, and Madagascar.) IOR faces a complex web of strategic and economic challenges. Piracy, maritime security threats, unregulated fishing, and climate change all demand regional cooperation.
Effectiveness of existing regional frameworks
- Fragmentation: Because of overlapping memberships and purposes, existing frameworks are fragmented. For instance, several nations have memberships in both BIMSTEC and IORA, which results in minimal coordination and duplication of effort.
- Restricted Scope: Although current frameworks cover some areas of regional cooperation, they frequently don’t offer full solutions for new problems including threats to maritime security, the effects of climate change, and economic inequality.
- Implementation Challenges: Despite the existence of declarations and agreements, resource limitations, ineffective bureaucracy, and political disputes among member states are obstacles to the implementation of projects within regional frameworks.
- External Influence: With their growing involvement in the Indian Ocean region, foreign powers—including significant international players like China—have an impact on the dynamics within pre-existing frameworks and occasionally threaten regional autonomy.
Roadmap for the formation of a new ‘Indian Ocean Cooperation Organisation’
- Flexible Structure: To address particular possibilities and problems in the area, IOCO should have a flexible structure that permits regular working groups, task forces, and consultations.
- Sustainable Financing: In order to support its programs and operations, IOCO should investigate sustainable financing options such as donations from member states, foreign donors, and public-private partnerships.
- Objectives: IOCO should have clear objectives focused on promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development in the Indian Ocean region. It should prioritize addressing maritime security threats, enhancing economic cooperation, and fostering people-to-people exchanges.
- Comprehensive Approach: IOCO should adopt a comprehensive approach to address a wide range of issues including maritime security, environmental protection, disaster management, trade facilitation, and connectivity.
- Inclusivity: IOCO should strive for inclusivity by involving all Indian Ocean littoral states, as well as key stakeholders such as international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and private sector entities.
Conclusion
A new IOOC, built on inclusivity, shared vision, and strong implementation mechanisms, has the potential to effectively address the strategic and economic challenges of the Indian Ocean Region.
