New Delhi, May 7 — The 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue opened in New Delhi under the banner “Indian Ocean Region in a Transforming World,” with India assuming the Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for 2025–27, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. He noted the dialogue placed strong emphasis on maritime security alongside discussions on the blue economy, climate resilience, connectivity and regional cooperation.
The inaugural session included a keynote address from India’s Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, and special remarks from Mauritius’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Dhananjay Ramful, and Yemen’s Minister of State Waleed Mohammed Al Qadimi. Jaiswal said the deliberations align with India’s Chairship theme: “Innovation, Openness, Resilience & Adaptability in the Indian Ocean Region.”
The Indian Ocean Dialogue (IOD) is a 1.5-track IORA initiative that brings together academics, think tanks, policymakers, government officials and business experts from Member States and Dialogue Partners to promote open exchange on regional issues. Launched in 2014 and hosted voluntarily by member countries, the first IOD was held in Kochi on September 5–7, 2014, organized by the Ministry of External Affairs with the Observer Research Foundation; the meeting produced the “Kochi Consensus.” Over successive editions participants have explored six core themes: geopolitical contours of the Indian Ocean, maritime security challenges, strengthening regional institutions, information sharing, disaster relief and management cooperation, and economic cooperation.
