India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday stressed that his country is committed to the well-being of the countries of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), and "as a net security provider and first responder".
He said this is based on the "Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) outlook".
Jaishankar was speaking at the 23rd Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers in Colombo as Sri Lanka assumed the chairmanship from Bangladesh, and India assumed the vice chair for two years.
Amid the resurgence of Asia and global rebalancing, the Indian minister said "the Indian Ocean holds a central position, playing a crucial role in the development and prosperity of the littoral nations".
On the occasion, Jaishankar told the media that for member states of the intergovernmental organization IORA to prosper, "developmental challenges must be continuously and effectively addressed".
IORA, an intergovernmental organization set up in 1997, has 23 member states and 11 dialogue partners from regions surrounding the Indian Ocean.
The minister also called for "cooperation on various aspects of the maritime economy, resources, connectivity, and security".
In case of dangers like hidden agendas, non-viable projects, or unsustainable debt, Jaishankar stressed that "clarity" is needed.
Jaishankar said that for this, the solution involves "sharing of best practices, greater awareness, and deeper collaboration". For this, he said, India’s message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) can be "a binding force" for the IORA’s member states.
Jaishankar, who is in Sri Lanka on a three-day visit, stated that India would endeavour to give "practical shape to the IORA Outlook for Indo-Pacific (OIP)".
The IORA OIP was adopted last year during the 22nd Council of Ministers in Dhaka on India’s initiative.