India hosted the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in New Delhi on June 15-16, 2026, reinforcing regional cooperation and advancing discussions on the organization's future roadmap for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indian Ocean Region.
Meeting Under India's Chairship
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated in a post on X that the meeting was held under India's current chairship of IORA. It reviewed progress across the organization's institutional matters and priority areas, and advanced discussions on the next IORA Action Plan (2028-2032). The MEA emphasized that the meeting reinforced cooperation for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indian Ocean Region.
Focus on Maritime Cooperation
The meeting underscores India's continued emphasis on regional maritime cooperation, security, connectivity and inclusive growth across the Indian Ocean Region. According to a press release from May 7, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted India's commitment to building an inclusive and future-ready maritime sector while addressing the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue in New Delhi.
Women's Participation in Maritime Sector
Minister Sonowal noted that women's participation in India's maritime sector has increased by 340 percent since 2020, attributing the growth to initiatives aimed at promoting inclusion and leadership opportunities for women. He stated, "Through initiatives like 'Sagar Mein Samman', we are advancing dignity, inclusion and leadership opportunities for women in the maritime sector, which has seen a remarkable rise of about 340 percent since 2020."
Critical Role of Indian Ocean
Sonowal emphasized that the Indian Ocean remains critical for global trade, energy flows and supply chains, and stressed the need for stronger cooperation among countries in the region. The 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue, hosted by India as Chair of IORA for 2025-27, focused on the theme 'Indian Ocean Region in a Transforming World.' The forum brought together ministers, policymakers, academics and industry leaders to discuss maritime security, blue economy, disaster risk management, climate change and women's empowerment.
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