Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership
February 16-17, 2025 | Muscat, Oman
The 8th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) 2025, held in Muscat, Oman, on February 16-17, brought together key stakeholders from across the Indian Ocean region and beyond to deliberate on maritime security, economic cooperation, and regional stability. The event, organized by the India Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Oman and S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), saw the participation of ministers, diplomats, industry leaders, and experts from over 45 countries. There was ministerial representation from 28 countries.
Day 0: February 15, 2025
The conference commenced with a Welcome Dinner, providing an informal platform for networking and initial discussions on maritime partnerships and regional cooperation.
Day 1: February 16, 2025
Inaugural Session
The conference formally opened with a Curtain Raiser Address by Dr Ram Madhav, President of the India Foundation. Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi, Foreign Minister of Oman, delivered the Welcome Address, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean. Special Remarks were given by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Singapore, followed by a Keynote Address by India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, who underscored the need for collaborative maritime governance.
Plenary 1: Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership
Chaired by Dr Ram Madhav, this session explored avenues for strengthening maritime cooperation among Indian Ocean nations. Notable speakers included foreign ministers from Iran, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Eritrea, Bhutan, and Australia, who discussed trade routes, security challenges, and diplomatic collaborations.
Plenary 2: Amplifying the Voice of the Global South
Shri Suresh Prabhu, former Union Minister of India, chaired this session, focusing on empowering the Global South within the maritime domain. Ministers from the UAE, Nepal, Qatar, Maldives, Seychelles, and Brunei addressed issues such as climate change, equitable trade practices, and regional economic growth.
Plenary 3: Securing Maritime Economic Interests
Shri M.J. Akbar, former Minister of State, India, chaired this session, which emphasized the protection of maritime economic interests amid evolving geopolitical dynamics. Discussions were led by representatives from Comoros, Tanzania, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and China, highlighting investment opportunities and trade security.
Plenary 4: Strengthening Maritime Supply Chains
This session, chaired by Sheikh Humaid Al Maani from Oman, focused on overcoming supply chain disruptions and building resilience. Speakers from Yemen, Turkiye, and Bangladesh presented strategies for enhancing logistical efficiency and fostering economic cooperation.
Plenary 5: Navigating New Frontiers in Maritime Landscape
Ruchira Kamboj, former Permanent Representative of India to the UN, chaired this discussion on technological advancements and evolving maritime challenges. Panellists from BIMSTEC, IORA, and SAARC underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing new-age maritime concerns.
Valedictory Session
Shri Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, India, chaired the closing session. Notable speakers included Saeed bin Hamoud bin Saeed Al Mawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and IT, Oman, and Ranil Wickremesinghe, former President of Sri Lanka, who reiterated the need for sustained regional dialogue.
Day 2: February 17, 2025
Parallel Thematic Sessions
Three thematic sessions addressed specialized maritime issues:
- Promoting Global Maritime Cooperation – Chaired by Alok Bansal, India Foundation, with speakers from France, South Korea, and the USA.
- Innovative Seaport Security – Led by Khamis bin Salim Al Jabri, Oman Sail, featuring experts from the USA and India.
- Managing Maritime Global Commons – Moderated by Michael Vatikiotis, Switzerland, discussing environmental and governance challenges.
Indian Ocean Economic Conclave
The inaugural session, chaired by Suresh Prabhu, featured discussions on economic partnerships between Oman, Japan, and India. A special address was delivered by Naveen Jindal, Member of Parliament and Chairman of Jindal Steel and Power Limited, India.
The plenary session, chaired by Shaurya Doval, included insights from leaders of Adani Ports, Asyad Ports, and OQ Alternative Energy, emphasizing sustainable economic growth and investment potential in the Indian Ocean region.
The 8th Indian Ocean Conference successfully reinforced maritime cooperation, economic partnerships, and regional security frameworks. By bringing together policymakers, business leaders, and strategists, the conference charted a course for a resilient and prosperous Indian Ocean community. As global maritime dynamics continue to evolve, such engagements will remain crucial in fostering sustainable and secure collaborations across the region.
