Sincere respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity remains foundation for reviving Indian Ocean as strong community: Jaishankar

India's EAM Jaishankar said multilateral rules-based order, respect for sovereignty & territorial integrity is foundation for reviving Indian Ocean as strong community. India will contribute to build capacity, secure safety & security in region, focus on Maritime Safety & Security & Blue Economy. India will work to strengthen IORA's institutional, financial & legal framework to realize its potential.

India on October 11 said a multilateral rules-based international order, along with sincere respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity remains the foundation for reviving the Indian Ocean as a strong community, in a veiled attack on China which is flexing its muscles in the region.

Speaking at the 23rd Council of Ministers Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in Colombo, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also said that it is important to maintain the Indian Ocean as a free, open and inclusive space based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), as the Constitution of the Seas.

"We will continue our approach of contributing to build capacity and secure safety and security in the Indian Ocean region including as first responder and a net security provider," Mr. Jaishankar said as India assumed the Vice-Chair role of IORA for 2023-25 at the crucial meeting.

"A multilateral rules-based international order, along with sincere respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity remains the foundation for reviving the Indian Ocean as a strong community," he said.

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He said that in the resurgence of Asia, and global rebalancing, the Indian Ocean holds a central position, playing a crucial role in the development and prosperity of the littoral nations, by supporting trade and sustaining livelihoods, offering immense possibilities of connectivity and resource utilisation.

"It is the message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or ‘the world is one family’ which can be a binding force to bring the IORA Member States together," he said.