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. |