Indian Ocean Countries Conference in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Feb 23 (IANS) To deepen economic ties with the Indian Ocean Rim countries and emphasize on maritime security, India will hold a three-day international conference in Odisha, starting March 20.

About 20 nations, popularly known as Indian Ocean Rim countries, will participate in the conference "India and the Indian Ocean: Renewing the Maritime Trade and Civilisational Linkages", a release of the Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS) said Monday.

Representatives from Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Thailand, Mauritius, Indonesia, Malaysia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Madagascar, Singapore, Yemen, Oman, Iran, and Cambodia are expected to attend the conference.

ISCS secretary Arindam Mukherjee said: "This conference will provide an opportunity to study and analyze Indian Ocean countries from all aspects - historical, economical, geo-political, cultural, energy security, religion, literature, trade, migration, diaspora and rejuvenate the ties that bind the nations."

Stating that the Indian Ocean has been a meeting point for western, northern, eastern and south east Asian countries, he said Indian Ocean Rim countries have strategic relevance as well as socio-cultural similarities, which are key to foster sustained economic and trade ties in the region.

Union ministers Sushma Swaraj, Manohar Parrikar, Dharmendra Pradhan and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and secretary general of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Ambassador K.V. Bhagirath will attend the conference, it said.

The conference is being organised jointly by ISCS and Research and Information System for Developing Countries.