Ex-President Ranil says IRIS Dena sinking exposed helplessness of IOR, urges stronger regional cooperation

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has emphasized the need for stronger political, economic, and security collaboration among nations in the Indian Ocean region. He warned that without regional unity, the area is at risk, especially with rising geopolitical tensions. In a video statement about the current global landscape, Wickremesinghe referred to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, pointing out that it shows the region's lack of a well-coordinated response. “We are talking about the absence of integration in our region while two outside countries, the US and Israel, are attacking a country in our area,” he stated, also mentioning Iran's actions against Gulf nations within the same region. Wickremesinghe highlighted an incident where a US submarine sank an Iranian frigate in regional waters. He noted that the limited reaction to such events showed “that we are in a helpless situation.” Reflecting on the Indian Ocean's historical importance, he described it as “the oldest in civilizations and connections between different societies,” emphasizing its long history in trade, culture, and political ties. In contrast, he pointed out that other areas like the Atlantic and Pacific have seen stronger cooperation, where economic integration and political discussions have progressed through organizations like NATO, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). According to Wickremesinghe, this level of cooperation is mostly missing in the Indian Ocean region. “To achieve the integration we need, close cooperation and personal discussions are essential,” he said. He suggested that regional leaders should meet at least every two years to address important issues such as political matters, maritime security, trade, economic integration, fisheries, agriculture, and climate change. He also mentioned economic challenges, noting that countries in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) trade more with external partners than with each other. He called for efforts to lower trade barriers, enhance ports and logistics, and encourage modern industrialization throughout the region. Wickremesinghe further emphasized the importance of maritime safety, referencing the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium and the Colombo Security Conclave. While acknowledging that these initiatives have improved security and administrative cooperation, he insisted that more focus should be placed on the political side.