Sri Lanka hosts top diplomats from Indian Ocean region

NEW DELHI

Sri Lanka on Wednesday hosted top diplomats from the Indian Ocean region for a high-level meeting aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region.

Colombo hosted the 23rd Council of Ministers meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association – an inter-governmental organization formed in 1997 aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region.

Addressing the meeting under the theme “Strengthening Regional Architecture: Reinforcing Indian Ocean Identity," Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said the association's primary objectives are to “promote peace, stability, and sustainable development" in the region, according to an official statement.

"Our region confronts a variety of complex issues,” Sabry said, adding: “These challenges require our collective efforts and a strong commitment to discovering innovative and inclusive solutions that are specific to our region, the Indian Ocean, and our heritage.”

Addressing the meeting, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said New Delhi wants to "develop an Indian Ocean community that is stable and prosperous, strong and resilient."

"It is thus important to maintain the Indian Ocean as a free, open, and inclusive space based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), as the Constitution of the Seas," he said in his opening remarks at the meeting.

During the meeting, Sri Lanka assumed the chair of the organization and it will serve for a period of two years (2023-2025), while India becomes the vice-chair of the association.

Ahead of today's meeting, the Sri Lankan government said the meeting will see the participation of 16 ministers, including from Bangladesh, India, Iran, Mauritius, Malaysia, and South Africa, as well as ministerial and senior-level participation from member countries and dialogue partners.