India’s IORA Leadership: Navigating Geopolitical Waters

Context:

This analysis explores India’s upcoming role as chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) starting November 2025, emphasizing IORA’s geopolitical significance and India’s potential to enhance its relevance. The article positions IORA as a critical platform for regional cooperation amid global challenges, offering insights into international relations and India’s strategic priorities as of March 22, 2025.

Crisp Information in Points (Focus on IORA and Its Geopolitical Importance):

1. IORA Overview: The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), formed in 1997, promotes open regionalism among 23 countries across Asia, Africa, and Australia, connected by the Indian Ocean, fostering economic and security cooperation.
2. Geopolitical Significance: IORA spans the Indian Ocean, a vital artery carrying 75% of global trade, 50% of daily oil, and hosting two-thirds of humanity, making it a geostrategic subset of the Indo-Pacific with unique regional dynamics.
3. Economic Weight: The region generates $1 trillion in goods and services, with intra-IORA trade at $800 billion in 2023, underscoring its economic clout and potential for prosperity.
4. Security Challenges: Faces piracy, terrorism, human/drug trafficking, and climate-induced disasters, necessitating collective action among member states, where IORA serves as a dialogue platform.
5. Membership and Structure: Includes 23 member states (e.g., India, Australia, South Africa) and 11 dialogue partners (e.g., US, China), with India as Vice-Chair (2023-2025) transitioning to Chair (2025-2027), succeeding Sri Lanka.
6. India’s Leadership Role: As Chair, India aims to bolster IORA’s budget, integrate tech for data-driven policies, and foster maritime education, leveraging its G20 experience and Indo-Pacific vision.
7. Geopolitical Edge: Unlike QUAD or SCO, IORA excludes big-power rivalries (e.g., Pakistan denied entry since 2001 over MFN status), offering India a “safe space” to lead middle and small powers in a multipolar world.
8. Strategic Priorities: India seeks to counter China’s regional forums (e.g., Belt and Road) by enhancing IORA’s focus on maritime safety, trade, fisheries, disaster management, and blue economy initiatives.
9. Institutional Gaps: IORA’s potential is hampered by limited funding and collaboration; India’s chairship could address these, drawing on strengths like France’s marine tech and UAE’s investments.
10. Global Relevance: As a UN and African Union observer since 2015, IORA’s success under India could elevate its voice in addressing climate change, marine governance, and sustainable development in a volatile region.

Key Terms:

• IORA: Indian Ocean Rim Association, a 23-member bloc promoting regional cooperation.
• Geopolitical: Political dynamics shaped by geographic and strategic factors.
• Indian Ocean Region (IOR): Area encompassing IORA states, critical for trade and security.
• Open Regionalism: Cooperative framework without rigid alliances, as practiced by IORA.
• Blue Economy: Sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth.
• Maritime Safety: Measures to secure sea routes from piracy and trafficking.
• Dialogue Partners: Non-member states (e.g., US, China) engaging with IORA on key issues.

Link To The Original Article – https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/charting-a-route-for-iora-under-indias-chairship/article69359008.ece