With reference to Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperatio

With reference to Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC), consider the following statements:

  • It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills.
  • It is an alliance meant for maritime security only.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2015
Statement 1 is incorrect as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IOR-ARC) was established in 1997, not recently, and while maritime safety and security are part of its agenda, they were not the primary or sole reasons for its establishment; it was founded primarily to promote economic cooperation. Statement 2 is incorrect because IOR-ARC is not solely focused on maritime security; its objectives encompass a wide range of areas including economic cooperation, trade, investment, tourism, technology, disaster risk management, and cultural exchange, in addition to maritime safety and security. Therefore, neither statement is correct.
The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IOR-ARC), now known as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), is an international organisation established in 1997 to promote regional cooperation and development within the Indian Ocean region. Its focus is multi-faceted, covering economic, social, and environmental aspects.
IORA’s membership includes 23 Member States and 10 Dialogue Partners. The organization provides a platform for countries of the Indian Ocean region to discuss and cooperate on issues of mutual interest. While maritime security is an important area of focus, it is one of several priority areas alongside trade facilitation, fisheries management, disaster risk management, and academic and S&T cooperation.