The 8th Indian Ocean Conference took place in Oman this week, highlighting growing regional engagement with Iran as Israel remains isolated.
The parley brought together key countries that border the Indian Ocean as well as other nations that have an interest in the region.
The conference was launched by the India Foundation in 2016 and was held in Singapore, where more than two dozen countries participated. These types of events are significant, gathering important states to discuss the region and global politics in an era of shifting powers in the world order.
According to Oman’s Foreign Ministry, the conference was aimed at discussing trade, security, renewable energy, and technological innovation. It took place under the banner of “Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership.”Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi said, “The Indian Ocean is not merely a body of water but a major economic artery, a platform for trade exchange, and a bridge connecting nations.”
Oman is one of the states in the region that has often sought to be neutral in regional rivalries, and, as such, it is able to have amicable ties with Iran and many other states. It is also situated on a historic trade route linking India to Africa, making it a natural host for an event like this.
Iran’s state media IRNA noted that “Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, have met to discuss bilateral cooperation and recent regional developments.”
The Iranian diplomat said, “We enjoy strong relations with regional countries and seek to deepen these relations.” According to the report, “The two ministers explored various areas for cooperation, including culture, economics, and trade.” They also discussed Afghanistan.
India has strategic ties with Israel, and it has also had historically good ties with Iran. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met US President Donald Trump.
Jaishankar held other important meetings at the event. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs noted, “On the sidelines of the conference, [the Indian foreign minister] held bilateral meetings with [the] foreign ministers of Brunei, Bangladesh, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Nepal, discussing key regional and global issues of mutual concern and reinforcing India’s commitment to deeper engagement with the Indian Ocean region.”
Others were also in attendance
Japan’s state minister for foreign affairs, Miyaji Takuma, also attended the event. A statement from the Japanese ministry said he gave a talk “noting that Japan has achieved its economic development by benefiting from free trade.
State Minister Miyaji stated that the goal Japan has consistently pursued – a free and fair order that overcomes divisions – is an essential precondition for bringing quality growth and prosperity to the Indo-Pacific region.
“State Minister Miyaji also stated that all countries around the Indo-Pacific must be able to share equally in the fruits of growth across this vast economic zone, or else the region risks becoming even more divided.”
These kinds of regional events often do not include Israel. This illustrates that while the Jewish state has sought out ties such as the I2U2 group, which includes Israel, India, the US, and UAE, it often faces an uphill struggle to participate in important gatherings.
Since the Israel-Hamas War began, Israeli regional meetings, such as the Negev Forum, have stopped. Meanwhile, other regional countries participate in BRICS, the SCO, and other gatherings.