Conference on India & the Indian Ocean begins

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar, Mar 20: A three-day-long international conference on `India & the Indian Ocean: Renewing the Maritime Trade & Civilisational Linkages’ was inaugurated by Union External Affairs Sushma Swaraj here today.Addressing the conference, Swaraj said India’s vision for the Indian Ocean Region is built on fostering increasing cooperation in the region, use of the country’s capabilities for the benefit of all in its common maritime home and assisting its maritime neighbours and island states in building their maritime security capabilities.“We believe that we will prosper when the seas are safe, secure and free for all.We therefore have advocated collective action and cooperation in the region.“We strongly believe that those who live in this region have the primary responsibility for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean,” she said.Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was the chief guest at the inaugural session, and Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attended the session as the guest of honour.An exhibition on `Indian Ocean: The Seafaring Legacy’ was inaugurated by Odisha Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Panda prior to the inaugural session.The exhibition showcases the vast heritage of the region, its inter-linkages, its synergic ideologies, cultural similarities and also display various symbols and remnants of the glorious past including Socotra, Terracotta art in Bengal, Boats of India, the text of Loan Agreement on Papyrus, Ramayana Tradition, Buddhism in South East Asian Countries, Bali – Land of Enchantment, Imprint of Indian Art in SEA, Deities & temples of Cambodia, Indian Linkages with Indonesia, Vietnam & other countries.Twenty nations from the region, popularly known as Indian Ocean Rim Countries, are participating in this three day event to deliberate upon vital aspects of trade, maritime security and civilisational linkages.The conference is supported by eight important Ministries of the Government of India – External Affairs, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Power, Shipping, Commerce & Industry, Culture, Tourism and Agriculture.Representatives from more than 20 countries, including India, Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Thailand, Mauritius, Indonesia, Malaysia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Madagascar, Singapore, Yemen, Oman, Iran, and Cambodia are attending the conference.The conference has been jointly organised by the Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS) and Research and Information System for developing Countries (RIS).The three-day conference will have parallel sessions and serious deliberations on the three vital aspects of trade, regional maritime security and civilisational linkages in the region.It is expected that through this conference there will be a thorough study and analyze on Indian Ocean from all the aspects and perspectives – historical, economical, geo political, cultural, energy security, religion, literature, trade, migration, diaspora, etc., and rejuvenate the deep ties that bind the regional nations.Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture Mahesh Sharma will chair the first plenary session titled ‘Historical Linkages and Cultural Networks in IORA’ on the second day of the conference.Odisha Governor S.C.Jamir, Union Minster of Commerce & Industry Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will grace valedictory session on the concluding day.