Ambassador’s intervention at the 5th Summit of the
Indian Ocean Commission
(Antananarivo, 24 April 2025)
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen!
It is my privilege to represent India as an Observer in the 5th Summit of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) in the beautiful city of Antananarivo today. I am grateful to the member states, observers and partners of IOC who had expressed their solidarity with the people of India after the heinous terrorist attack in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. India deeply values the support of IOC and other partners in our collective fight against the scourge of terrorism, which is the worst violation of human rights and personal freedoms.
2. As you are aware, since becoming an Observer in IOC in March 2020, India has been actively taking part in all the meetings of IOC that are open to Observers. I am glad to note that this is the first such Summit level meeting after the joining of India as an Observer in the IOC.
Excellencies,
3. As a country with several offshore islands and a long coastline and strategically located in the Indian Ocean, India has played an important role in building religious, cultural and trade ties among the countries of the region, for many centuries. As the world's third largest ocean with abundant natural resources and rich biodiversity, Indian Ocean is crucial for the economic growth and prosperity of its littoral countries and beyond. It also remains an important lifeline for international trade and transport, especially in the energy sector. Thus, it is of utmost importance for the countries of the Indian Ocean region to keep the waters that wash our shores safe and secure.
4. India’s vision for the Indian Ocean is built on the foundation of its commitment to the well-being and progress of all countries in the region. India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative envisages a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific to mitigate the challenges in the maritime domain through practical cooperation. In line with its Neighbourhood First policy and Vision SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region), India has contributed positively towards the sustainable development and prosperity of all the littoral countries of the Indian Ocean. Further, India's Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) recently outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisions a broader cooperation on security, trade and capacity building among the members of the Global South.
Excellencies,
5. I would like to commend the Indian Ocean Commission, which is one of the oldest and vibrant organizations in the Indian Ocean region, for its achievements in the 4 Strategic Areas of Peace & Security; Economic Growth & Connectivity; Environment & Climate; and Human Development. These are also the areas to which India attaches great importance to cooperate with the member states of IOC and India is keen to share its experience as a net security provider and the first responder to natural disasters in the Global South. India is also willing to leverage its active role in various multilateral organizations such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association, Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), to further enhance its cooperation with IOC. India looks forward to working closely with all the member states of IOC to overcome the challenges of the 21st century, including in the field of food security and self-sufficiency, in order to ensure a secure, prosperous and sustainable future for all of the countries in the Indian Ocean region.
Thank you.
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