First Indian Ocean Dialogue (IOD)

Hosted by the Observer Research Foundation with support from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, The Indian Ocean Dialogue (IOD) was held in Cochin, Kerala, from 5-7 September 2014.The Dialogue included participation of 67 officials and representatives from Think Tanks and Civil Societies from 24 countries which are Member States and Dialogue Partners of IORA.

The participants discussed six broad themes- the geopolitical contours of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), maritime security challenges, strengthening regional institutions, information sharing, cooperation in disaster relief and management and economic cooperation.

Participants at the First Indian Ocean Dialogue expressed strong conviction that regional cooperation is absolutely critical for the management of the new geopolitical challenges and the creation of a conducive environment for peace, stability and prosperity within the Indian Ocean region.

The discussions at the First IOD resolved around the following topics

Session 1: IOR – Growing Geostrategic Salience
Session 2: Maritime Security Challenges in the IOR
Session 3: Enhancing Regional Cooperation in IOR
Session 4: Information sharing
Session 5: Maritime capacity building for HADR and Disaster Management
Session 6: Economic Development and Trade Integration