China secretly hosts the first forum for the China-Indian Ocean region without India

The first “China-Indian Ocean Region Forum,” which brought together 19 nations from the region with the exception of India, was recently held in China.

Key Highlights

• Kunming, China, hosted the inaugural Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation (IORFDC).
• Attendees included representatives from 19 nations, all of whom were from South Asia (with the exception of India).
• The China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), China’s new development assistance organisation, organised the meeting.
• China made the suggestion in this forum to create a mechanism for cooperation between China and nations in the Indian Ocean region in the prevention and mitigation of marine disasters (IOR).
• China also suggested creating a network of blue economy think tanks for itself and the nations of the IOR.
• The new forum organised by China could be seen as a response to India’s IORA.

Indian Ocean Rim Association

• The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is a vibrant intergovernmental organisation that includes 22 Member States and 10 Dialogue Partners and aims to improve regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region.
• The Council of Foreign Ministers (COM), IORA’s highest authority, convenes once a year.