U.S.-CHINA TUSSLE, WARSHIPS IN INDIAN OCEAN DOMINATE IOC CONFERENCE

Why in the news:

The Indian Ocean Conference in Perth focused on concerns of militarization and great power rivalry in the region.

source:hindustantimes

About the conference in Perth:

  • The Indian Ocean Conference in Perth, sponsored by India, addressed concerns about the militarization and great power rivalry in the region.
  • Sri Lankan President highlighted growing naval presence of India, the U.S., Australia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and China.
  • Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar criticized China’s actions in the Indo-Pacific, mentioning Line of Actual Control and South China Sea disputes.
  • President Wickremesinghe emphasized smaller states’ dilemma in balancing between great powers, affecting their decision-making.
  • Australia emphasized sovereign choices regarding maritime security measures, avoiding direct support for Sri Lanka’s moratorium.
About  The 7th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC)

·   Event: The 7th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) is underway in Perth, Australia.

·   Date: February 9-10, 2024.

·   Association: The conference is organized in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Government of Australia, the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, and the Perth-US Asia Centre in Australia.

·   Theme: The theme for this edition is “Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean.”

·   Focus: Discussions revolve around ensuring stability and sustainability in the Indian Ocean region.

·   Participants: Representatives and experts from various countries are attending to discuss regional challenges and cooperation.

Importance: The conference aims to address issues impacting the Indian Ocean region and promote dialogue for collective solutions.