BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

BANGLADESH AND INDIAN OCEAN RIM ASSOCIATION (IORA): THE FUTURE DYNAMICS

Author: Moutusi Islam

DOI Link: DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2023v44n1a1

ABSTRACT

Bangladesh has become the chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), a 23-member regional organisation, for the period of 2021-2023. The paper investigates potential opportunities for Bangladesh from IORA and provides a few measures and initiatives Bangladesh can take during its chairmanship. The paper argues that the rising international profile of Bangladesh has created the opportunity to play a bigger role in IORA. However, the unclearness of an Indian Ocean identity, lack of political will, lack of visibility and inadequate resources are some of the major challenges Bangladesh is likely to encounter. With a view to making Bangladesh’s role more effective in IORA, this paper suggests linking the IORA agenda with domestic and foreign policy goals, increasing the profile of IORA, ensuring inclusiveness, enhancing the role of dialogue partners and implementing the new IORA Action Plan.