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Indian Ocean Rim group seeks to raise its profile

It has made steady progress over the years, but the 19-member grouping’s clout is limited and it appears to be punching below its weight.
Member countries have historical links going back centuries, trade is strong, and the Indian Ocean binds their common destinies. The ocean is an energy lifeline for growing economies like India with 70 per cent of the oil traded passing through this body of water. Combined GDP of IOR-ARC countries is $6.5 trillion. This is estimated to exceed $9 trillion by 2016.
Officials say the potential for growth and cooperation is enormous, but the big question is whether they will go the distance to make it a potent body with a strategic vision.
The 12^th ministerial meeting of the group, to be held on Friday in Gurgaon, hopes to enlarge the scope of the relationship, but officials at India’s Ministry of External Affairs are not saying how.
“We are taking the process forward, building on our common links, talking trade and commerce, and hoping to raise the profile of this group,” says Sudhir Vyas, Secretary, Economic Relationship.
There appears to be unity, but ties such as these are loosely strung, which means members can also be part of other regional blocs. There are no binding agreements and the bloc clearly lacks political punch and vision to become another Asean.
However, it is an emerging symbol of soft power, which an economically rising India seeks to promote, taking inspiration from its policy of non-alignment and staying independent to forge more regional relationships.
Areas of interest for the group are maritime security, trade and investment facilitation, fisheries management, disaster management, academics, technology,and tourism.
Last year, at the conference in Bengaluru, IOR-ARC ministers resolved to fight maritime piracy. Despite the dip in piracy by 50 per cent this year, informal discussions are still on pirates and how to bring them to book.
“The IOR-ARC does not provide a security umbrella to member nations, but tries to reach common ground on security issues that threaten us and the free flow of trade,’’ says an official on condition of anonymity. “It’s a economic bloc, where we let age-old links thrive and reach consensus on issues that affect us,’’ said Vyas.
Three working groups of officials, businessmen and academics meet annually to discuss projects and send recommendations to a committee of senior officials.
The ministerial meeting in Gurgaon was preceded by academic, business, tourism and cultural interactions.
This year, the Comorros Islands will be granted membership. Seychelles was admitted in 2011.
Interestingly, Pakistan is not a member and officials evaded a reply on why the country has not made an appearance after 15 years, even as a dialogue partner.
Australia, Bangladesh, hosts India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, UAE, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand and Yemen are member countries, while China, Egypt, France, Japan and United Kingdom are dialogue partners.
allan@khaleejtimes.com

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