Indian Navy’s IFC-IOR

The Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC) of Seychelles. This MoU aims to enhance cooperation and develop expertise between the two centres in the area of maritime safety and security in the western Indian Ocean. The agreement seeks to address several non-traditional maritime security threats like human trafficking, piracy, illegal fishing, and maritime terrorism.

Background on IFC-IOR

The IFC-IOR is a regional maritime security centre that was launched in 2018. It is located in Gurugram, India and aims to promote maritime security in the western Indian Ocean. The centre is responsible for sharing information with other maritime agencies and countries in the region to strengthen maritime domain awareness and enhance cooperation. The IFC-IOR is part of India’s larger effort to expand its strategic outreach and deepen its relationships with its maritime neighbours.

The Need for Enhanced Maritime Security

Maritime security in the Indian Ocean has become increasingly important in recent years due to several factors. The region is home to important sea lanes of communication that are critical for global trade. It is also rich in natural resources, including oil and gas, which makes it an attractive target for exploitation. In addition, there has been a rise in non-traditional security threats, such as piracy, illegal fishing, and human trafficking, which pose a significant challenge to maritime security.

The Importance of the MoU

The MoU signed between the IFC-IOR and the RCOC of Seychelles is an important step towards enhancing maritime security in the western Indian Ocean. The agreement seeks to leverage the strengths and expertise of both centres to address non-traditional maritime security threats. This includes sharing information and intelligence, conducting joint operations, and developing new initiatives to combat piracy, illegal fishing, and human trafficking.

The MoU is also significant because it deepens the relationship between India and Seychelles. The two countries have a long history of cooperation in the area of maritime security, with India providing assistance to Seychelles in combating piracy and enhancing maritime surveillance. The MoU signed between the IFC-IOR and the RCOC of Seychelles is expected to further strengthen this relationship and promote greater cooperation in the future.