External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to attend the 7th Indian Ocean Conference in Perth, Australia, which kicks off on Friday, February 9th. The conference, themed “Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean,” will span two days, aiming to address critical issues facing the Indian Ocean Region.
Organized annually by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the Bharat Foundation, this flagship consultative forum gathers stakeholders from across the Indian Ocean Region. This year, it’s being held in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Government of Australia, the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, and the Perth-US Asia Centre.
The conference will see participation from delegations led by ministers from more than 22 countries, senior officials from 16 countries, and representatives from six multilateral organizations. Additionally, over 400 social and corporate leaders, policy practitioners, scholars, professionals, and media personnel from approximately 40 countries will be present.
EAM Jaishankar will deliver the inaugural address, joined by distinguished figures including Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, and Singaporean Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. The gathering aims to foster dialogue and cooperation on regional challenges and opportunities.
The Indian Ocean Conference serves as a crucial platform for fostering regional cooperation, building upon the principles of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). Since its inception in 2016 in Singapore, it has facilitated discussions on various aspects of regional security and development.
Ahead of the conference, Jaishankar met with Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green to discuss bilateral ties. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong highlighted the significance of hosting the 2024 edition, emphasizing the need for practical solutions to address key regional challenges.
Over the past six years, the Indian Ocean Conference has evolved into a vital forum for deliberating on regional affairs and forging partnerships. With a focus on stability and sustainability, the 7th edition in Perth seeks to chart a course for the region’s collective future, ensuring peace, prosperity, and cooperation among Indian Ocean nations.
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