9th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC 2026)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with leaders from multiple countries on the sidelines of the 9th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC 2026) held in Port Louis, Mauritius from April 10–12.

Key Highlights

Rising Concern Over Chokepoints: Dr. Jaishankar underlined that maritime chokepoints—narrow strategic passages such as straits and canals—have emerged as a major source of global anxiety. These routes are critical for global trade and energy flows but remain vulnerable to disruptions, thereby impacting economic and security stability worldwide.

India as a ‘First Responder’: Reaffirming India’s regional role, he emphasized that India has consistently acted as a ‘First Responder’ in the Indian Ocean region. From humanitarian crises to natural disasters, India has provided swift and reliable assistance.

• Disaster relief operations in countries like Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Mozambique
• Response to oil spills off the coasts of Mauritius and Sri Lanka
• Recent ‘Operation Sagarbandhu’ in Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah, involving extensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts and a USD 450 million aid package for relief and reconstruction

Focus on Connectivity and Development: The Minister stressed that connectivity initiatives are central to regional integration. He called for projects that are:

• Transparent
• Respectful of sovereignty
• Based on genuine partnerships

He also reiterated India’s commitment to sustainable development and capacity-building efforts across the Global South, describing the Indian Ocean as a “Global South ocean.”

Theme and Participation: The IOC 2026 was organised by India Foundation in collaboration with the Government of Mauritius under the theme: “Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance.”

About Indian Ocean Conference (IOC)

The Indian Ocean Conference was started in 2016 by India Foundation in association with think tanks and institutions from the region, with participation from 30 countries.

The conference has evolved into a major regional platform with participation from over 30 countries, focusing on maritime security, economic cooperation, and sustainable governance of the Indian Ocean.

Sources: MEA and IOC