The Indian Ocean region, home to the Indian Ocean Rim Association, SAGAR, IONA, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, is a strategically important region. Recently, the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) organised a forum comprising 19 countries from this region. India, however, was not invited.
The forum was themed “Shared Development: Theory and Practice from the Perspective of the Blue Economy”. Participants included representatives from countries like Indonesia, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Afghanistan, Iran, Oman, South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Seychelles, Madagascar, Mauritius, Djibouti, Australia and three international organisations.
During the meeting, China proposed the establishment of a Marine Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Cooperation Mechanism. Additionally, China extended an offer to provide necessary financial, material, and technical support to countries in need.
China’s Interest in the Indian Ocean Region
China has been making substantial investments, particularly in ports and infrastructure, across various countries in the region. Some notable examples include acquiring Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port on a 99-year lease, investing in the Gwadar port in Pakistan, and making significant infrastructure investments in the Maldives.
Through these actions, China is contending for influence in the strategic Indian Ocean region. However, such activities have also raised concerns around China’s “debt diplomacy” under its Belt and Road Initiative that are allegedly delivered under the guise of infrastructure development.
Since 2008, China has consistently deployed naval warships in the Gulf of Aden and even established its first foreign military base in Djibouti in 2017.
Concerns Raised by China’s Activities
There are widespread apprehensions about the potential politicization of the Indian Ocean region following China’s increasing influence. Many see India’s absence from the recent meeting as a challenge to its traditional presence in the region.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry added fuel to these concerns when they refused to disclose details about participants from other countries. These concerns are particularly significant given that India has been a traditional partner and supporter of Indian Ocean Region (IOR) countries.
India’s Influence in the Indian Ocean Rim Association
India regularly engages with the IOR countries through the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and Indian Ocean Navies Symposium (IONS) under the vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
As part of its role, India has published guidelines for IORA and urged partners to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure launched at the UN in September 2019.
India also runs the Information Fusion Centre, based in Gurugram, which provides real-time crisis information to assist member countries of the IOR. Countries such as Bangladesh, Mauritius, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Seychelles form part of the information support structure of India.
What is the Indian Ocean Rim Association?
Established in 1997, the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) aims to foster understanding and mutually beneficial cooperation through a consensus-based, non-intrusive approach.
It has 23 member states, including Australia, Bangladesh, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen along with nine dialogue partners, one of which is China.
IORA controls major sea-lanes and is significant globally, carrying half of the world’s container ships, one-third of the world’s bulk cargo traffic, and two-thirds of the world’s oil shipments. Its secretariat is based in Mauritius.
