China – Indian Ocean Region Forum

China – Indian Ocean Region Forum

Why in news :

• Recently, China’s top development agency, China International Development Cooperation Agency ( CIDCA) convened the first “China – Indian Ocean Region Forum” in Kunming, China.
• This meeting underlines the China’s growing strategic interests in Indian Ocean region where its economic footprint has been deepening.

Which countries participated in the meeting :

• The organizers of the Forum said that it was attended by “high level representatives” and “senior officials” from 19 countries.
• They are Indonesia, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Afghanistan, Iran, Oman, South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Seychelles, Madagascar, Mauritius, Djibouti and Australia.
• But, two countries, Australia and Maldives rebutted the claim, emphasizing that they did not participated officially.

Did India participated?

• China said that India is a major country in the Indian Ocean region and is invited to the forum.
• But, India skeptical of China’s moves from Galwan clashes to recent Yuan Wang 5 (Chinese military tracking vessel) didn’t participated in the meeting.
• India, sees Indian Ocean Rim Association ( IORA) as an established platform for the Indian Ocean Region.

Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) :

• IORA is a inter-governmental organization aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean Region.
• The association consists of 23 member states and 10 dialogue partners.
• The member countries are Australia, Bangladesh, the Comoros, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
• IORA has 10 dialogue partners: China, Egypt, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Turkey, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

IORA member states and dialogue partners

Priorities and Focus Areas of the IORA :

• • Maritime safety and security
  • Trade and investment facilitation
  • Fisheries management
  • Disaster risk management
  • Tourism and cultural exchanges
  • Blue economy
  • Women’s Economic Empowerment
  • Academic, Science and Technology Cooperation

Syllabus : prelims + mains ; GS2- International Relations