6th Indian Ocean Conference- IOC 2023
6th Indian Ocean Conference- IOC 2023: External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar emphasised that the vision of the Indo Pacific has become a reality in the 21st century.
Since its founding in 2016, the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) has emerged as the principal consultative platform for countries in the area to discuss regional issues. By bringing together significant states and the region`s key maritime partners on a single platform, the IOC seeks to foster discussions on regional cooperation for Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
Key Points
- External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar emphasised that the vision of the Indo Pacific has become a reality in the 21st century.
- He made this statement during the 6th Indian Ocean Conference-2023 in the Bangladeshi capital, where he also acknowledged Bangladesh’s recent announcement of the “Indo Pacific Outlook” and warned against countries that try to impede the region’s progress.
- Jaishankar noted that the Indo-Pacific represents contemporary globalisation, and a departure from the framework established in 1945, which some countries still have a vested interest in perpetuating.
- The Indian minister was in Dhaka for a two-day visit, during which he met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and his counterpart, Dr. AK Abdul Momen.
During his meeting with Ms. Hasina, it was revealed that Bangladesh would be among the “guest countries” at the upcoming G20 summit hosted in Delhi, and both sides expressed satisfaction with the level of bilateral cooperation in various fields. Muhammad Ziauddin, Dhaka’s Ambassador-at-large and the Sherpa for the upcoming G-20 summit, also attended the meeting.
About Indian Ocean Conference:
- The first IOC took place in Singapore in 2016 and was attended by more than 300 delegates from 22 countries, including ministers, political leaders, diplomats, strategic thinkers, academics, and media.
- The second conference was hosted in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2017 and was attended by representatives from over 40 countries. In 2018, the third IOC was held in Hanoi, Vietnam, and was attended by delegates from 44 countries.
- In 2019, the fourth edition was hosted in Maldives and was attended by delegates from 40 countries. The fifth IOC was held in 2021 in Abu Dhabi, UAE and was addressed by 37 speakers from 21 countries.
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Libyan Parliament has expelled PM Fathi Bashagha
The eastern-based parliament of Libya voted to depose Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha, refer him for inquiry, and install Finance Minister Osama Hamad in his place, causing political chaos in the country. Uncertainty surrounds the causes of Bashagha`s dismissal.
As a former interior minister, he was chosen over a year ago to rival Tripoli-based premier Abdul Hamid Dbeibah under a United Nations-brokered deal to create a power-sharing government and establish democracy in Libya.
Key Points
- The country, home to Africa’s largest oil reserves, has been plagued by instability since the 2011 civil war and the fall of Moammar Al Qaddafi.
- Despite an unstable political situation, crude oil production has stabilised this year at over 1.1 million barrels per day.
- Following the unsuccessful endeavors of Fathi Bashagha to lead a march into the capital city, Tripoli, and establish his authority as the national prime minister, he established an alternative government in the city of Sirte along the central coastline.
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