India’s Chairship of IORA: Steering Towards a Safer, Smarter, and Sustainable Indian Ocean
Setting the Stage: The Ocean that Connects Continents
The Indian Ocean is not just a vast body of water that stretches from Africa to Australia—it is a living highway of trade, culture, history, and livelihoods. Every day, thousands of ships pass through it, carrying food, oil, clothes, machinery, and many other goods to people around the world. It is the very heart of global trade, with 75% of maritime commerce and half of the world’s oil transportation moving through its waters. But for the millions of people who live in the countries that touch the Indian Ocean—whether it is India, Indonesia, Kenya, Australia, or Mauritius—this ocean is far more than a trade route. It is a source of food, jobs, energy, and even identity. Recognising this, a group of 23 nations came together to form the Indian Ocean Rim Association, or IORA, in 1997. It was built as a platform to help these countries work together on common problems and opportunities related to the ocean that binds them.
Yet, despite this noble aim, IORA has long remained a sleepy organisation, often underfunded, unnoticed, and overshadowed by other international groups. Its secretariat, based in Mauritius, is small and limited in its ability to handle big tasks. With most of its member countries being developing nations, its annual budget is minimal. This has made it hard to act boldly on major issues like piracy, ocean pollution, illegal fishing, and disaster response. As India prepares to take over as the Chair of IORA in November 2025, hopes are high that it will finally breathe new life into this important body. With its strong economy, deep maritime heritage, cutting-edge technology, and good relations with almost every member state, India is well placed to make a real difference.
Understanding IORA’s Role: More Than Just Meetings and Speeches
IORA is unique among international organisations because it focuses entirely on the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), a region that includes some of the world’s fastest-growing economies as well as some of the most vulnerable communities. The Indian Ocean touches the shores of countries in Asia, Africa, and Oceania, bringing together an incredibly diverse group of nations—some large and powerful, others small and struggling. Despite their differences, these countries all share the ocean and the challenges that come with it. From climate change and rising sea levels to illegal activities like piracy and human trafficking, the problems faced in the Indian Ocean are too big for any one country to handle alone.
But IORA’s role is not just about solving problems; it is also about creating new opportunities. It promotes cooperation in areas such as fisheries management, maritime security, disaster preparedness, and the development of the “blue economy”—a term used to describe sustainable use of ocean resources for growth, jobs, and ecosystem health. However, over the years, IORA has not been able to deliver on its full promise. This is due to a mix of limited funding, low institutional capacity, and a lack of unity among its diverse members. Many of its plans have remained on paper, and its impact on real-world issues has been modest at best. That is why India’s upcoming leadership is seen as a turning point. India has already shown commitment through its vision called SAGAR, which stands for “Security and Growth for All in the Region,” and it aligns closely with IORA’s goals.
Funding the Future: Why IORA Needs More Than Good Intentions
One of the biggest problems IORA faces is its lack of money. Despite covering such a large and important region, IORA’s annual budget is surprisingly small—only a few million dollars. That’s barely enough to fund research, training, meetings, and day-to-day operations, let alone large-scale projects like maritime surveillance or disaster preparedness. This is in stark contrast to other smaller organisations like the Indian Ocean Commission, which has a budget of over $1.3 billion for the same time period. The reason is simple: most IORA members are developing countries with limited resources, and only a few like Singapore, the UAE, and France have the ability to contribute significantly.
India has a smart solution to this. It proposes that IORA should not rely only on governments for funding. Instead, it should invite private businesses—especially those who depend on the ocean, such as shipping companies, oil and gas firms, marine tourism operators, and fisheries industries—to become partners. These industries have a big interest in keeping the ocean safe and clean. By involving them in decision-making and policy development, IORA could create a win-win model. For example, India suggests creating an “IORA Blue Economy Fund” supported by both public and private contributors. This fund could then be used for building ports, training coast guards, cleaning up pollution, and much more. By using its own experience with public-private partnerships, India can show other countries how such a model works.
Digital Oceans: How Technology Can Make IORA Smarter
In the age of smartphones and satellites, there is no reason for an international organisation to still rely on paper records and slow communication. Unfortunately, that is exactly the case with IORA today. Its Secretariat lacks the digital tools needed to process large volumes of data, track real-time developments, or conduct effective policy research. This is where India’s technological expertise can make a huge difference. India proposes to build a centralised “IORA Digital Platform” where member countries can share information about weather patterns, marine traffic, fishing activity, and environmental incidents.
Using technologies like satellite imaging, artificial intelligence, and even blockchain, IORA can become a modern organisation that operates with speed and accuracy. For instance, illegal fishing can be detected and stopped quickly with satellite data. Real-time monitoring can help prevent oil spills or respond to them faster. Disaster-prone areas can be warned early through climate modelling tools. India already has digital platforms like Aadhaar and CoWIN that serve millions efficiently, and similar ideas could be adapted for IORA. The goal is to create a “digital brain” for the Indian Ocean that allows better coordination and quicker action.
Education and Innovation: Building Brains for the Blue Economy
To ensure lasting progress, IORA must invest not just in infrastructure or policies, but also in people. A sustainable ocean economy requires skilled workers—scientists, engineers, policy experts, navigators, and marine biologists. India’s plan includes creating a wide network of maritime universities and research institutions across member countries. It wants to launch joint courses in oceanography, marine law, coastal engineering, and climate science. Students and teachers can move across countries through exchange programmes, learning together and building bonds of friendship.
One of the most exciting ideas is the creation of a permanent IORA Centre for Maritime Studies. This centre could act as the brain of the organisation, producing high-quality research, offering training, and even developing new technology. With India’s renowned universities like IITs, Indian Maritime University, and the National Institute of Ocean Technology, the foundation already exists. Moreover, by combining modern education with the traditional knowledge of coastal and island communities—like those in Mauritius or the Maldives—IORA can develop solutions that are both innovative and sustainable.
Climate Diplomacy: Leading the Fight Against a Shared Threat
No issue is more urgent or universal than climate change. Rising sea levels, stronger cyclones, ocean acidification, and coral bleaching are already harming lives and livelihoods across the Indian Ocean. Yet, until now, there has been no regional platform dedicated to tackling these challenges together. India sees this as an opportunity for IORA to take the lead. It proposes the creation of a “Regional Climate Compact”—a voluntary agreement where countries commit to reducing marine pollution, protecting coastlines, and sharing green technologies.
India also wants to set up a “Climate Information Sharing Hub,” where countries can upload and access real-time data on weather, ocean currents, and environmental risks. Smaller nations often struggle to get a seat at global climate meetings, but as a group under IORA, they could have a louder voice. IORA could even help them secure funding from global bodies like the Green Climate Fund by helping draft proposals and build capacity. In this way, IORA can become the region’s shield against climate disasters.
Security and Stability: Keeping the Waters Safe for All
The Indian Ocean is not always peaceful. Piracy, terrorism, smuggling, and illegal fishing are common problems. Some countries have strong navies; others have very limited resources. India wants to change this by setting up an “IORA Maritime Security Task Force,” where countries can work together, share information, train each other, and conduct joint patrols. India already leads in many regional security initiatives and can offer its experience to others.
This task force would not just fight crime—it would also help build trust. In a region where many countries are still developing and some have tense relationships, working side by side on shared missions can reduce suspicion and promote peace. India’s vision is to turn the Indian Ocean into a “zone of peace and prosperity,” and this plan could be the first step towards that dream.
Conclusion: The Time Is Now
India’s upcoming chairship of IORA is not just a routine change of leadership—it is a moment full of promise and potential. With its focus on expanding funding, harnessing technology, promoting research, supporting vulnerable communities, and tackling climate change, India is aiming to transform IORA into a world-class regional body. This vision is ambitious, but not impossible. India has the tools, talent, and ties to make it happen.
If successful, this leadership could set an example for the rest of the world—of how countries big and small, rich and poor, can come together around shared goals and values. More importantly, it would help ensure that the Indian Ocean remains not just a pathway for trade, but a space of safety, knowledge, innovation, and hope for generations to come.
