Q. With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’,

Consider the following statements:

  1. It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills.
  2. It is an alliance meant for maritime security only.

Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?

  • 1 only
  • 2 only
  • Both 1 and 2
  • Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Indian Ocean Rim Association:
  • Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is an intergovernmental organisation established to promote economic cooperation and regional integration among countries bordering the Indian Ocean.
  • IORA member states work on various initiatives related to trade, investment, and sustainable development in the Indian Ocean region (IOR).
  • The Indian Ocean Rim Association was established on 7 March 1997.
    • The vision for IORA originated during a visit by late President Nelson Mandela of South Africa to India in 1995.
Members of IORA
  • Membership is open to all sovereign states of the Indian Ocean Rim willing to subscribe to the principles and objectives of the Charter.
    • Current 23 Member States:
      • Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, France/Reunion, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia,South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
    • Dialogue Partners:
      • China, Egypt, Germany, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russia, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
    • Specialized Agencies:
      • The Regional Centre for Science and Technology Transfer (RCSTT) based in Tehran, Iran.
      • The Fisheries Support Unit (FSU) based in Muscat, Oman.
    • Two Observers:
      • The Indian Ocean Research Group (IORG)
      • The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)
Indian Ocean Rim Association
Major Objectives of IORA:
  • The objectives of the Association are underpinned by the principle of open regionalism as below:
    • To promote sustainable growth and balanced development of the region and Member States.
    • To focus on those areas of economic co-operation which provide maximum opportunities for development, shared interest and mutual benefits.
    • To promote liberalization, remove impediments and lower barriers towards a freer and enhanced flow of goods, services, investment, and technology within the Indian Ocean Rim.