South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor said here on Thursday that the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) will become an important organization upholding its principles noting that they do not want to be dominated by any powerful nation.

“We don’t want to be dominated by anybody’s fight with another country, nor do we wish to be told what to do,” she told reporters after attending a programme organized by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).

The point the South African minister raised is that they “must not become subject to the whims” of more powerful countries and mentioned that within IORA they have set out their programmes in a very carefully planned manner. “We’re not subject to the conflicts among more powerful nations.”

Even those who are coming to IORA as partners, she said, they consider them as dialogue partners but they are not full members.

Also read: Bangladesh assumes IORA chairmanship; eyes inclusive development

“We’re the members of those who are on the Indian Ocean Rim. Others have an interest and they wish to work with us. But we always guard our essential being. This is the point that I was making,” she said, adding that they do not close the door for anybody but do not want to be dominated by anybody.

On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen reiterated that they want to see an open, free, peaceful and inclusive Indian Ocean instead of any single country or group’s domination in the region.

Bangladesh, the current chair of IORA, has said it will make clear its position over the Indo-Pacific region in the days to come as the government is currently working on it.

“We’ll make our position clear regarding the Indo-Pacific. We’re working on it,” said Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Wednesday.

He referred to the joint statement between Bangladesh and France where a paragraph was included on the Indo-Pacific.

At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid an official visit to France earlier this month.

Bangladesh and France shared the same vision for a “free, open, peaceful, secure and inclusive” Indo-Pacific region, based on international law and with shared prosperity for all, according to the joint statement.

Taking note of the French and European strategies concerning the Indo-Pacific, both parties agreed to work towards promoting regional peace and stability and to explore further opportunities for cooperation in maritime security and the blue economy.

Highlighting their commitment to fully observing the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes, refraining from any threat or use of force, they stated the importance of maintaining security and freedom of navigation and overflight in all seas and oceans.

Foreign Secretary Masud Momen said some countries have taken some initiatives on the Indo-Pacific Strategy and these countries are sharing their policy separately.

He named the European Union (EU), the United States and own position in some countries in the EU.

Also read: Focus on blue economy: PM to IORA states

The Foreign Secretary said it is likely to be difficult to get a position from an organization like IORA while it is relatively easy for a country.

He said the IORA member countries will be able to share their ideas and it will be discussed elaborately in the next meeting to be held in July next year.

Responding to a question, Maritime Affairs Unit (MAU) Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam Secretary (MAU) Khurshed Alam said Indo-Pacific is still an evolving issue and it is not clear yet.

While talking to the UNB recently, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the EU to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley said the growth is happening in the region and it is a vast area.

“The Indo-Pacific strategy really ties in well with our new priorities to Bangladesh. There’s an opportunity to inject more energy into the Bangladesh-EU relationship,” he said, highlighting the importance of connectivity, green transition, free trade and people to people link.

A joint communiqué on the “EU Strategy” for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific has been adopted recently, saying the European Union is stepping up its strategic engagement with the Indo-Pacific region as the region is increasing in strategic importance for Europe.

The EU thinks the future of the EU and the Indo-Pacific is interlinked. The EU is already the top investor, the leading development cooperation partner and one of the biggest trading partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

Ambassador Whiteley said they will be deeply engaging in renewable energy, regional energy and will help the transformation of Bangladesh energy system.

He said there is a lot of energy behind the relationship with development cooperation and trade benefits are there in place.

Bangladesh assumed the chairmanship of IORA for the next two years with the theme – “Harnessing the opportunities of the Indian Ocean sustainability for inclusive development.”

“This event has been very special to Bangladesh,” said the Foreign Minister while briefing the reporters on the outcome of the 21st Meeting of the Council of Ministers (COM) held in a city hotel on Wednesday evening.

The theme selected by Bangladesh was “profusely appreciated” by the member countries and the dialogue partners of IORA, he said.