Amid China's Re-entry Into Maldives, India To Hold Meet With Indian Ocean Countries For Talks On Maritime Security And Trade

In a significant political development, Maldives recently underwent a change in leadership, with Mohamed Muizzu emerging victorious in the elections, defeating the incumbent President Ibrahim Solih, as reported earlier.

However, the implications of this electoral outcome extended far beyond the nation's borders, as Muizzu's campaign rhetoric against India, coupled with his party's previous alignment with China, raised questions about a potential shift in the Maldives' foreign policy that could have reverberations throughout the Indian Ocean region.

Against this backdrop, Sri Lanka has prepared to host the crucial Council of Ministers Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) on 11 October, according to The Times Of India.

The Council of Ministers serves as the apex decision-making body within IORA, the preeminent organization in the Indian Ocean Region, boasting 23 member states and 10 dialogue partners.

The 23rd Council of Ministers' Meeting, scheduled to transpire in Colombo, marks the commencement of Sri Lanka's chairmanship of IORA for the term spanning from 2023 to 2025.

Of the 16 ministers set to assemble on 11 October, Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar is among the confirmed attendees, as per official confirmation from the foreign ministry.

According to the foreign ministry's announcement, the Council of Ministers meeting in Colombo will welcome 16 ministers, including foreign ministers from Bangladesh, India, Iran, Mauritius, Malaysia, and South Africa.

The forthcoming meeting will attract participation from an array of nations, including Australia, Comoros, France, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, all as member countries.

In addition, China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Turkiye, the UK, and the United States of America will partake as dialogue partners.

The meeting's agenda will revolve around collaboration in six paramount areas: trade and investment, maritime safety and security, fisheries management, disaster risk management, and the blue economy.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry will preside over the Council, succeeding the current Chair, Bangladesh Foreign Minister A. K. Abdul Momen.

In addition to the deliberations scheduled at the meeting, the visiting ministers will collectively convene with President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Moreover, they will engage in bilateral discussions with Foreign Minister Sabry and other Sri Lankan ministers during their stay in the island nation.