India committed to strengthen IORA: Dr Ranjan
Source: The Sangai Express
Dhaka, November 24 2022:
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Dr RK Ranjan has reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthen the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) so as to promote peace, security and prosperity in the region as well as in the wider Indo-Pacific.
Speaking at the 22nd Council of Ministers' meeting of the IORA at Dhaka, Bangladesh today, he highlighted India's contributions as coordinator of the IORA priority areas of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Science, Technology, Innovation, inter alia, towards building IORA's capacity.
Highlighting the current global challenges to climate, food and energy security, Dr RK Ranjan also called for greater cooperation on initiatives of LiFE - Lifestyle for Environment and International Year of Millet in 2023.The 22nd IORA-COM Meeting adopted the 'IORA's Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (IOIP)' which would guide enhancement of IORA's engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
India led the process of development of the IOIP.
The 22nd IORA - COM meeting also adopted Dhaka Communique.
The IORA Ministers also endorsed India's candidature for IORA Vice-Chair for the period 2023-25 by consensus.
On the sidelines of 22nd IORA - COM meeting, Dr Ranjan had a bilateral meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Somalia, Ali Mohamed Omar.
The two sides discussed various bilateral and multilateral matters.