US expanding ties with Indian Ocean countries especially along Bay of Bengal: State Department to WION

The US plans to increase its engagement with all Indian Ocean rim countries along the "Bay of Bengal" under its Indo-Pacific concept at a time when China is also trying to increase its influence in the region.

Asked about Indian Ocean Rim Association or (IORA) discussing the Indo-Pacific concept, aUS State Department spokesperson told WION, "We are expanding our relationships with all Indian Ocean nations along the Bay of Bengal, evident through our economic engagement, Bay of Bengal security initiative, and other efforts. ASEAN centrality is a cornerstone of the US vision for the Indo-Pacific."

The IORA grouping, which has 22 countries who share their shores with the Indian Ocean as its members discussed the concept in a meeting in Mauritius in April.

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The State Department with this statement demarcated the geographical border of the concept till Indian shores while New Delhi wants to expand it till the eastern shore of Africa.

Asked about New Delhi's role, the State Department spokesperson said, "We welcome India’s interest in playing a larger role in the Indo-Pacific and look forward to cooperating with our counterparts in the Indian government to achieve mutual goals in this part of the world."

Washington in its national security strategy has said that it supports New Delhi's leadership role in theIndian Ocean security and throughout the broader region.

China is also increasing engagement with the region especially through the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Gwadar port and has its only overseas military base in the region in Djibouti. China views the Indo-Pacific concept backed by New Delhi and Washington suspiciously since it sees it as an "encirclement".

The United States provided over $1.8 billion in assistance to the Indo-Pacific region last year, including economic, security, and governance programs.

Last year, it even changed the name of its largest naval command, US Pacific command, to 'Indo-Pacific Command' to boost the growing concept. The Trump administration is also working to revitalise the Export-Import Bank of the United States which is expected to invest $10 billion in Indo-Pacific projects.

India's vision for Indo-Pacific is one of "inclusiveness, openness and ASEAN centrality" as described by Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last year.

Other than IORA, ASEAN has also discussed the concept with Indonesia being a vocal proponent of the concept.