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The 24th Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Meeting of the Council of Ministers (COM), hosted by the IORA Chair Sri Lanka, was held virtually on 21 May 2025 under the theme: "Sustainable Indian Ocean for future Generation”. Shri P. Kumaran, Secretary (East), led the Indian delegation at the 24th meeting of IORA COM.

2. India is currently the Vice-Chair of IORA and part of the Troika. India will assume the Chairship of IORA for 2025-2027. The 24th COM meeting saw the participation of Ministers and High level delegates from all 22 IORA Member States and IORA’s 12 Dialogue Partners. During the meeting, the Member States held discussions on strengthening IORA, matters of regional interest and adopted the ‘Colombo Communiqué’.

3. Secretary (East), in his statement, underscored India’s commitment to the well-being and progress of nations of the Indian Ocean, in alignment with India’s Vision of the Indian Ocean Region. He noted that cooperation, collaboration and concerted efforts among Member States, are essential to reach convergence on issues of common interest in the Indian Ocean Region. Secretary (East) affirmed that terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, whether state-sponsored or carried out by individuals, poses a serious threat to peace, security, and development of the region, and must be unequivocally condemned.

New Delhi
May 21, 2025