At the 9th Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius in April 2026, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar urged regional nations to deepen cooperation and resilience amid rising global uncertainty and geopolitical shifts.

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• Indian Ocean is described as a vital ecosystem for economy, culture, and connectivity
• Disruptions in the ocean system can affect livelihoods, trade, and global stability
• Call to overcome colonial-era barriers and strengthen regional cooperation
• Emphasis on stronger economic links, connectivity, and revival of traditional ties
• Global order becoming more competitive, fragmented, and inward-looking
• Countries seeking trusted partnerships amid “weaponisation of interdependence”
• Rising concern over choke points in maritime, finance, and technology domains
• Need for open and resilient global systems to avoid controlled disruptions
• Region faces shared challenges like food, fuel, fertiliser shortages, and disasters
• Collective resilience and cooperation are key for Indian Ocean nations’ future