• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

ClearIAS

UPSC: Latest News, IAS, IPS, UPSC Online Preparation

UPSC Prelims Test Series 2021Enroll Now
  • Home
  • Start
    • IAS
    • IAS Exam Eligibility
    • UPSC
    • UPSC Syllabus
    • UPSC Exam Date
    • UPSC Results
    • FAQs
  • Programs
    • Prelims
    • Mains
    • Interview
  • Buy
    • Courses
    • Mock Test Series
    • IAS Books
    • eBooks (PDF)
  • Free
    • Study Materials
    • Guidance
    • eBooks (PDFs)
    • Mock Exams
    • ClearIAS App
    • Downloads
  • Toppers
  • Blog
  • Login
ClearIAS » Current Affairs Notes » Indian Ocean Commission (COI)

Indian Ocean Commission (COI)

Last updated on June 12, 2020 by Clear IAS Team

Indian Ocean Commission (COI)The Indian Ocean Commission (COI), recently, granted observer status to India.

The COI offers a good platform for India to expand its presence in the Western Indian Ocean.

Many countries involved with COI are potential partners in India’s SAGAR doctrine.

What is the Indian Ocean Commission (COI)?

The Indian Ocean Commission (French: Commission de l’Océan Indien, COI) is an intergovernmental organization that links five African Indian Ocean nations: Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion (an overseas region of France), and Seychelles.

Created by the Port Louis Declaration in 1982, the IOC was institutionalized in Seychelles in 1984 by the General Cooperation Agreement, better known as the “Victoria Agreement“.

COI’s principal mission is to strengthen the ties of friendship between the countries and to be a platform of solidarity for the entire population of the African Indian Ocean region.

130+ Prelims Marks is Possible. Only if you are guided the right way.

Join ClearIAS Prelims Test Series 2021.

Take a Free Test

COI’s mission also includes development, through projects related to sustainability for the region, aimed at protecting the region, improving the living conditions of the populations, and preserving the various natural resources that the countries depend on.

It has China, Malta, European Union, International Organization of La Francophonie(OIF), India, Japan, and the United Nations as observers.

Significance of COI

  • COI is the only regional organization in Africa composed exclusively of islands.
  • It defends the interests of its member states on the continental and international arena.
  • It has projects covering a wide range of sectors like preservation of ecosystems, sustainable management of natural resources, maritime security, entrepreneurship, public health, renewable energies, and culture.
  • This experience and expertise make the COI a key player for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • The COI also implements projects which go beyond the geographic framework of its member states to cover the countries of eastern and southern Africa and the island countries of the western front of the continent.
  • The anti-piracy unit of the Indian Ocean Commission launched many initiatives for maritime security in Africa under the MASE program. Under this program, COI established a mechanism for surveillance and control of the Western Indian Ocean with two regional centres.
  • The COI has funded several regional and national conservation and alternative livelihood projects through ReCoMAP, Regional Programme for the Sustainable Management of the Coastal Zones of the Countries of the Indian Ocean (PROGECO in French).

Benefits for India with Observer status

  • Presence in Western Indian Ocean
    • India will get an official foothold in a premier regional institution in the western Indian Ocean.
    • It will create opportunities for more engagement with islands in this part of the Indian Ocean.
    • Presence in a strategic location which connects Eastern Africa to the Indian Ocean.
  • Influence over the use of Mozambique Channel
    • Part of the Indian Ocean located between the African countries of Madagascar and Mozambique.
    • Considered as a choke-point in the Indian Ocean.
    • The channel is likely to regain its relevance if the hostilities surrounding the Strait of Hormuz escalate in the future.
  • Geo-political reasons
    • India’s pivot to Africa is a geopolitical and strategic necessity considering China’s influence in the region. The observer status will help India to increase influence in the Western Indian Ocean.
    • As observer India can play a crucial role in combating piracy emanating from the East African coast.
    • France is an important partner in the COI. India as an observer will have the opportunity to boost cooperation with France and its overseas regions.
  • SAGAR Policy:
    • It will help to extend India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region) policy in the region.
    • SAGAR aims for enhancement of capacities to safeguard territories, economic and security cooperation in the littoral nations, co-operation to deal with natural disasters and maritime threats like piracy and terrorism.

How can India contribute as an Observer?

  • India can help in the capacity building of the members of COI in the following areas:
    • Joint action with the India Navy for anti-piracy operations.
    • Patrolling the coastal areas.
    • Anti-terrorism training.
    • Safeguarding their Exclusive Economic Zones.
    • Providing technical expertise in maritime monitoring & surveillance.
  • Realize the potential of the COI member-countries in the sector of the blue economy.
    • Help the countries to tap the potential of oceans and marine areas for economic development.
    • Use the expertise of state-owned enterprises such as ONGC to identify and develop natural gas resources.
    • Help the countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals that include a Goal on Oceans and resource management.
  • Help in adapting to Climate Change
    • Develop regional and sub-regional climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
    • Build the resilience of people dependent on the oceans for livelihoods.
  • Extending India’s satellite services for the benefit of the members covering areas like
    • Telecommunication
    • Tele-Medicine
    • Tele-Education
    • Satellite aided search and rescue
    • Navigation requirements
    • Training and development communications

Conclusion

India can genuinely contribute as an observer to COI without being a ‘big brother’.

The COI offers a good platform for India to expand its presence in the Western Indian Ocean. Many countries involved with COI are potential partners in India’s SAGAR doctrine.

Both India and COI are to gain from this relationship.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Share34
Tweet
WhatsApp
34 Shares

Integrate Learning With Test-Taking!

Is UPSC Prelims your weak area?

Don’t worry!

We can help you score high marks!

Are you ready to practise the right way?

Yes, I want ClearIAS to help me score high!

Get our newsletter

Don't miss our email updates!

About Clear IAS Team

ClearIAS provides free IAS online coaching, guidance, strategies, books, online study-materials and mock tests with a vision that no candidate should be left out of UPSC exam competition due to in-accessibility of expensive IAS classroom coaching.

We write simple, easy to understand articles, but always ensure high standards of quality.

Rated among the best, emerging online test preparation startups, Clear IAS also offers for free, the popular Clear IAS android app.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Aim to be an IAS Officer?

Nothing can beat practice!

Join ClearIAS Prelims Test Series 2021

Practice 40+ online mock exams!

Limited Period Offer: 40% OFF!

Enroll Now!

ClearIAS Study Materials for UPSC Prelims and Mains

  • Indian History - Indian History and Culture.
  • Geography - Indian and World Geography.
  • Economics - Indian Economy.
  • Indian Polity - Constitution, Social Justice etc.
  • General Science - Science and Technology.
  • Environment - Biodiversity, Climate Change etc.
  • Current Affairs - National and international.

ClearIAS Study Materials for UPSC Mains (Extra-Topics)

  • World History - GS paper 1.
  • Indian Society - GS paper 1.
  • Foreign Relations - GS paper 2.
  • International Affairs - GS paper 2.
  • Internal Security - GS paper 3.
  • Disaster Management - GS paper 3.
  • Ethics - GS paper 4.

ClearIAS Study Materials for UPSC Mains (Paper-wise)

  • Essay Paper
  • GS 1 Paper
  • GS 2 Paper
  • GS 3 Paper
  • GS 4 Paper

ClearIAS Online Mock Exams (Prelims and Mains)

  • Prelims Mock Exams
  • Mains Mock Exams (AWP)

Congrats! You are at the right place - ClearIAS!

  • 1 million+ monthly users!
  • 9,00,000+ ClearIAS App Downloads!
  • 4,50,000+ Facebook Followers!
  • 3,50,000+ Email Subscribers!
  • 3,00,000+ Registered Aspirants!

Prepare for UPSC Online!

Get Started

UPSC Online Preparation Guidance

  • UPSC - Union Public Service Commission
  • IAS - Indian Administrative Service
  • Civil Services Exam (CSE) - Exam Pattern
  • UPSC Syllabus - Subjects to learn
  • IAS Books - Books to learn
  • UPSC CSE Eligibility - Who can appear?
  • UPSC Exam Dates - When should you apply?
  • UPSC Result - Check UPSC Results
  • UPSC FAQs - Clarify your queries

What do toppers' say about ClearIAS?

Poonam Dalal

"Working 24*7 in the police for the last 5 years and been out of touch with the preparation, I took the guidance from your website, especially the ClearIAS prelims test series. I bought it and found it to be the best available online." - Poonam Dalal, ClearIAS Online Student

Read more reviews by UPSC Toppers...

Enroll in

ClearIAS UPSC Prelims Online Test Series 2021

Score High in the IAS Exam!

Trusted by Toppers

Limited Period Offer: 40% Discount!

Enroll now

Don’t lose out without playing the right game!

Adopt the 3 Strategies for Success in the UPSC Civil Services Exam.

Learn UPSC Strategies

  • Home
  • IAS
  • UPSC
  • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Login

UPSC Online Preparation

  • Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
  • Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
  • Indian Police Service (IPS)
  • IAS Exam Eligibility
  • UPSC Free Study Materials
  • UPSC Exam Guidance
  • UPSC Prelims Test Series
  • UPSC Syllabus
  • UPSC Online
  • UPSC Books
  • UPSC Prelims
  • UPSC Mains
  • UPSC Interview

ClearIAS

  • About ClearIAS
  • ClearIAS Programs
  • IAS Coaching
  • Announcements
  • Book Review
  • ClearIAS App
  • Sitemap
  • Work with us
  • Advertise with us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us

UPSC 2021

UPSC Exam Calendar 2021

Follow us

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFollow us on YouTubeFollow us on ClearIAS Learning AppFollow us on ClearIAS Test Prep AppFollow us on Telegram

Featured on

ClearIAS Featured in The Hindu
ClearIAS Featured in the Times of India
ClearIAS Featured in the New Indian Express
ClearIAS Featured in the Yourstory

and many more...

Copyright © 2020 - ClearIAS.com