Jaishankar to attend two-day summit of 7th Indian Ocean Conference in Perth

Defense News ,India :- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is all set to attend the 7th Indian Ocean Conference in Perth, Australia, starting this Friday. The conference theme is "Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean," emphasizing the importance of maintaining a secure and eco-friendly region.

The two-day event, scheduled for February 9 and 10, is a significant forum for Indian Ocean Region countries. It is organized annually by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the India Foundation. The Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, along with Singapore's S Rajaratnam School of International Studies and the Perth-US Asia Centre, are key partners for this edition.

Jaishankar will address the inaugural session, sharing the stage with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, and Singaporean Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

Over 22 countries will send ministerial delegations, and senior officials from 16 countries and six multilateral organizations will participate. The conference will also bring together over 400 leaders, including social and corporate figures, policy practitioners, scholars, professionals, and media personnel from around 40 countries.

The conference aims to foster cooperation and discuss regional challenges, building on its role since its inception in 2016. The platform has become crucial for countries and maritime partners to collaborate on regional security and growth. Australia's commitment to host the conference in 2024 highlights its significance as a platform for practical solutions to key challenges facing the Indian Ocean region.

Jaishankar's recent meeting with the Australian High Commissioner, Philip Green, showcased the ongoing bilateral partnership between India and Australia. The upcoming conference promises to be an opportunity for nations to strategize and collaborate on practical solutions for the region's pressing issues, further solidifying the Indian Ocean Conference's role as a consultative forum over the past six years.