The Indian Ocean Rim – Association for Regional Co-operation (IOR–ARC): the futile quest for regionalism?

Abstract

The Indian Ocean has received new attention in recent years because of its economic and strategic importance. The region is seen as a theatre for great power rivalries mainly between the United States, China, and India. In contrast to this, the Indian Ocean Rim – Association for Regional Co-operation (IOR–ARC) has hardly attained any political importance more than 15 years after its inauguration. The economic and political divergences among its 20 members and the competition with (sub-)regional organisations have limited its impact. The futile quest for regionalism should be replaced by a new understanding of the IOR–ARC as an international or inter-regional organisation that deals with different maritime issues. This would pave the way to promote closer cooperation between the different regional organisations and to enter into meaningful collaboration with the international community in order to fight common threats.

Keywords:

• IOR–ARC
• regional cooperation
• international organisation
• security

Notes

1. The 14 countries were Australia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Yemen. The Seychelles withdrew its membership in 2003, but re-joined in November 2011.

2. The member states of IFIOR were Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Kenya, Kuwait, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.