Pathfinder Foundation’s Indian Ocean Security Conference successfully concluded

The Pathfinder Foundation’s Indian Ocean Security Conference was successfully concluded after 3-days of deliberations and focusing on Maritime Security and Maritime Governance in the Indian Ocean saw participation of over 36 countries and an average of one hundred participants from around the world, a statement from the organisation said. 

Indian Ocean littoral countries including those members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), its dialogue partners, Government officials from many countries including the Gulf States, diplomatic missions based in Colombo, experts representing think-tanks, research, business community and academia, were represented at this important forum. Among the major countries that participated were Australia, China, France, India, Iran, Japan, Russia, South Africa, the US and the IORA Secretariat.   

The conference was the culmination of a process that commenced with ‘Trincomalee Consultations’ focusing on the Bay of Bengal, held in 2017 and 2018 and the proposal for a draft of a Code of Conduct for the Indian Ocean by the Pathfinder Foundation. 

The event, which was chaired by the former Foreign Secretary and National Security Advisor of India, Ambassador Shivshankar Menon, who also headed the meeting of the International Advisory Group last year to prepare for the conference, deliberated on 9 position papers submitted by a handpicked team of academics and professionals.
 Former Ambassador Geetha de Silva functioned as Secretary General of 
the Conference.  

Issues discussed, included the need to have a mechanism to ensure good conduct at sea and freedom of navigation to be enjoyed by all parties  without exception