New Delhi, March 6 (ANI) — Mauritius Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Dhananjay Ramful warned that escalating tensions in the Middle East have turned into a regional conflict with wide-ranging global consequences.
Ramful said the fallout is placing heavy strains on vulnerable countries through economic shocks and pressures on vital resources. “The conflict has become a regional conflict, and its consequences are far-reaching. A lot of countries, especially vulnerable countries, will be facing a lot of difficulties. You have the rising prices of petroleum products and food security,” he said.
He outlined specific impacts on Mauritius, whose economy relies heavily on tourism. Transport disruptions, airline interruptions and concerns for citizens abroad — including many foreign nationals stranded in the Middle East — are hurting the sector. The government has issued formal communications urging the parties to halt hostilities and seek diplomatic solutions.
On the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean, Ramful praised India’s role in regional stability and said New Delhi, as current chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), is expected to lead efforts against unconventional maritime threats. He called for concrete projects to address piracy, drug trafficking and illegal fishing, alongside cooperation on climate change and disaster management.
Ramful also highlighted the potential of the blue economy, noting the fishing sector could expand with technological support. He stressed the Indian Ocean’s economic significance, citing that roughly 50% of global container shipments, 33% of cargo vessels and 68% of all shipments transit the region.
Addressing Chagos Islands and related legal matters, Ramful noted that although the Maldives was among six countries voting against a UN resolution, it did not bring any sovereignty case to the International Court of Justice or submit a UN claim over the Chagos. He recalled a maritime boundary dispute in which a tribunal found Mauritius to be the only state entitled to request delimitation of waters between the Chagos Islands and the Maldives, based on the ICJ resolution and judgment. (ANI)
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