New Delhi played host on Thursday (May 7) to the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue, bringing together stakeholders from across the Indian Ocean Region under the theme “Indian Ocean Region in a Transforming World”.
India currently holds the Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for 2025–2027.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the dialogue commenced with participation from regional stakeholders and focused on strengthening cooperation across the Indian Ocean Region.
In a post on X, Jaiswal said, “The 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue commenced today in New Delhi under the theme ‘Indian Ocean Region in a Transforming World’, with India serving as Chair of IORA for 2025–27. The inaugural session featured a keynote address by Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways of India Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, special addresses by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of Mauritius Mr. Dhananjay Ramful and Minister of State of Yemen, Mr. Waleed Mohammed Al Qadimi.”
He further added that discussions focused on “maritime security, blue economy, climate resilience, connectivity and regional cooperation across the Indian Ocean Region”, in line with India’s Chairship theme of “Innovation, Openness, Resilience & Adaptability in the Indian Ocean Region”.
The Indian Ocean Dialogue (IOD), IORA’s flagship Track 1.5 platform, has brought together ministers, policymakers, academics, and industry leaders since its launch in Kochi in 2014, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways said in a statement.
The 23-member association, backed by 12 dialogue partners, centres on economic cooperation and sustainable development in the Indian Ocean Region, with the blue economy and women’s economic empowerment as its core cross-cutting priorities.
The 10th edition, held in New Delhi on May 7–8, 2026, features dedicated sessions on maritime security, disaster risk management, and climate change and women’s empowerment.
The first Indian Ocean Dialogue was held in Kochi in 2014, organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation.
The “Kochi Consensus” emerged as its key outcome, with discussions spanning maritime security challenges, regional cooperation, disaster management, and economic cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.