India hosted the BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs' Meeting in New Delhi, with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval chairing discussions involving security leaders from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The meeting focused on strengthening regional cooperation in maritime security, counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, cybersecurity, and supply chain resilience amid rising geopolitical tensions. NSA Doval emphasized India's Neighbourhood First Policy, Act East Policy, and MAHASAGAR vision while calling for greater collaboration to tackle common security challenges across the Bay of Bengal region. Bilateral meetings with several member nations also explored mechanisms to enhance intelligence cooperation and regional stability.

BIMSTEC Security chiefs meet in New Delhi | Ajit Doval leads talks on terrorism & maritime security 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Seychelles visit marks 50 years of diplomatic ties and highlights the island nation’s growing importance in India’s Indian Ocean strategy. From maritime security and MAHASAGAR to trade, digital infrastructure and climate cooperation, here’s why Seychelles matters far beyond its size


PM Modi in Seychelles: Why India Is Betting Big on Tiny Seychelles

Seychelles President Patrick Herminie on Sunday said the East African island nation reaffirmed its special place in India's MAHASAGAR vision while welcoming discussions on the announcement of India's Special Economic Package (SEP) worth USD 175 million during his talks with Prime Minister Narendra, who is currently on a three-day state visit to the country.


Seychelles President Herminie Welcomes Talks on India's $175 Million SEP

Senior officials, experts and academics from across the Indian Ocean gathered in the Indian capital this week for the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue, where the region's top diplomat warned of growing threats to maritime safety and energy security.&nbsp;The two-day event, hosted by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) in partnership with India's Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), focused on the theme "Indian Ocean Region in a Transforming World".&nbsp;Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Secretary-General Sanjiv Ranjan stressed the forum's unique value as the only organisation bringing together all 23 rim countries.&nbsp;"We are the only organization in the region which brings together 23 member states from all the Indian Ocean, countries which are in the rim of the Indian Ocean," he said. "That in itself is a value which provides a platform for member states to deliberate and articulate their concerns and their interests."&nbsp;Ranjan highlighted "huge concern" over disruptions to sea transport, which he said directly threaten energy security. "The impact of disruptions of transport linkages in the region directly affects the energy security of these nations," he said.&nbsp;"These nations have taken mitigation measures, but they know that restoration of status quo ante is very important to ensure that the well-being of their societies, their people, is maintained."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hostage-crisis-unfolds-in-germany-after-armed-bank-robbery-1778235720252">Hostage crisis unfolds in Germany after armed bank robbery</a>&nbsp;Speakers repeatedly emphasised adherence to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Practical ideas floated included joint search-and-rescue exercises, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief drills, and greater use of space-based monitoring for climate challenges. The dialogue comes weeks after the IRIS Dena incident, in which an Iranian frigate was sunk by a US submarine off Sri Lanka in March, raising questions about freedom of navigation and security in busy sea lanes.&nbsp;IORA has no mandate to discuss specific geopolitical flashpoints, but Ranjan acknowledged the broader worries. "When we talk about adherence to international law, it means every nation commits itself to following those laws in its practice on the ground," he said. Concerns about how such incidents affect shipping, navies and coastal communities "is very much a part of the agenda".&nbsp;The Track 1.5 format deliberately mixes government voices with those of academics and experts from countries including Sri Lanka and Mauritius, allowing candid exchanges outside formal diplomacy. Deliberations will feed into a senior officials' meeting in India next month and culminate in a consensus document to be made public.&nbsp;India, the current chair of IORA until 2027, has used its tenure to push themes of innovation, openness, resilience and adaptability under its MAHASAGAR vision. Ranjan said the dialogue helps member states reach "convergences on issues which have a coherence within the organisation".

India, the current chair of IORA until 2027, has used its tenure to push themes of innovation, openness, resilience and adaptability under its MAHASAGAR vision.

Senior officials, experts and academics from across the Indian Ocean gathered in the Indian capital this week for the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue, where the region's top diplomat warned of growing threats to maritime safety and energy security. The two-day event, hosted by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) in partnership with India's Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), focused on the theme "Indian Ocean Region in a Transforming World". Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Secretary-General Sanjiv Ranjan stressed the forum's unique value as the only organisation bringing together all 23 rim countries. "We are the only organization in the region which brings together 23 member states from all the Indian Ocean, countries which are in the rim of the Indian Ocean," he said. "That in itself is a value which provides a platform for member states to deliberate and articulate their concerns and their interests." Ranjan highlighted "huge concern" over disruptions to sea transport, which he said directly threaten energy security. "The impact of disruptions of transport linkages in the region directly affects the energy security of these nations," he said. "These nations have taken mitigation measures, but they know that restoration of status quo ante is very important to ensure that the well-being of their societies, their people, is maintained." Also Read: Hostage crisis unfolds in Germany after armed bank robbery Speakers repeatedly emphasised adherence to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Practical ideas floated included joint search-and-rescue exercises, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief drills, and greater use of space-based monitoring for climate challenges. The dialogue comes weeks after the IRIS Dena incident, in which an Iranian frigate was sunk by a US submarine off Sri Lanka in March, raising questions about freedom of navigation and security in busy sea lanes. IORA has no mandate to discuss specific geopolitical flashpoints, but Ranjan acknowledged the broader worries. "When we talk about adherence to international law, it means every nation commits itself to following those laws in its practice on the ground," he said. Concerns about how such incidents affect shipping, navies and coastal communities "is very much a part of the agenda". The Track 1.5 format deliberately mixes government voices with those of academics and experts from countries including Sri Lanka and Mauritius, allowing candid exchanges outside formal diplomacy. Deliberations will feed into a senior officials' meeting in India next month and culminate in a consensus document to be made public. India, the current chair of IORA until 2027, has used its tenure to push themes of innovation, openness, resilience and adaptability under its MAHASAGAR vision. Ranjan said the dialogue helps member states reach "convergences on issues which have a coherence within the organisation".

India, the current chair of IORA until 2027, has used its tenure to push themes of innovation, openness, resilience and adaptability under its MAHASAGAR vision.

Indian Ocean Dialogue: IORA chief Ranjan calls for maritime security, adherence to international law

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BIMSTEC Security chiefs meet in New Delhi | Ajit Doval leads talks on terrorism & maritime security

PM Modi in Seychelles: Why India Is Betting Big on Tiny Seychelles

Seychelles President Herminie Welcomes Talks on India's $175 Million SEP

IORA chief Ranjan calls for maritime security, international law adherence