Context
The 9th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) 2026 was held in Mauritius under the theme “Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance.” The conference was jointly organised by the India Foundation, the Government of Mauritius, and India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
The conference witnessed participation from over 30 countries, which collectively endorsed the vision of cooperative maritime governance and regional resilience in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
About the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC)
The IOC is an annual flagship Track 1.5 diplomatic forum that brings together:
- Government representatives
- Policymakers
- Strategic experts
- Academicians and industry leaders
It serves as an important platform for discussing:
- Maritime security
- Blue economy
- Regional connectivity
- Climate resilience
- Sustainable ocean governance
The conference also advances India’s SAGAR Vision, which seeks a secure, stable, and sustainable maritime order in the Indian Ocean.
Key Outcomes of IOC 2026
Collective Stewardship Vision
Participating nations committed to:
- Securing maritime chokepoints
- Enhancing economic resilience
- Promoting cooperative maritime governance
- Strengthening regional security partnerships
Focus Areas
- Maritime domain awareness
- Blue economy cooperation
- Disaster management
- Sustainable use of marine resources
- Secure and resilient supply chains
Importance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) for India
- Trade Lifeline
The IOR carries:
- 95% of India’s trade volume
- 68% of India’s trade value
making it central to India’s economic security.
- Energy Security
The region serves as a critical transit route for:
- 80% of India’s crude oil imports
- 50% of LNG imports
Strategic chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz and Strait of Malacca are vital for uninterrupted energy flows.
- Strategic and Defence Importance
Control and monitoring of sea lanes in the IOR are essential for:
- National defence
- Territorial integrity
- Countering piracy and maritime threats
- Resource Potential
India has exclusive seabed mining rights over 75,000 sq km in the IOR for polymetallic nodules, crucial for green technologies and critical minerals.
- Offshore Energy and Fisheries
- Offshore reserves account for 51% of India’s oil reserves and 66% of natural gas reserves.
- The region supports over 4 million coastal fishers and contributes significantly to India’s fish production.
- Renewable Energy Potential
The IOR possesses offshore renewable energy potential exceeding 125 GW through:
- Offshore wind
- Tidal energy
- Wave energy
Challenges in the IOR
- Geopolitical competition among major powers
- Piracy and maritime terrorism
- Illegal fishing and marine pollution
- Climate change and rising sea levels
- Supply chain vulnerabilities
Conclusion
The 9th Indian Ocean Conference highlighted the growing strategic importance of the Indian Ocean Region in global geopolitics and economic security. Through the SAGAR vision and cooperative regional frameworks, India seeks to promote a free, open, secure, and inclusive maritime order in the Indo-Pacific region.