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US lawmakers propose legislation to formalize Indian Ocean strategy
Congress members Darrell Issa and Joaquin Castro introduced a legislation aimed at bolstering America's strategic involvement in the Indian Ocean region, emphasizing coordinated military, diplomatic, and development initiatives.
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US House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee members Joaquin Castro (L) and Darrell Issa (R) introduced the legislation on May.14. / Screengrab X/@JoaquinCastrotx and @DarrellIssa
Two members of the US House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee introduced a legislation on May.14 to enhance America's strategic engagement with the Indian Ocean region.
Congress members Darrell Issa and Joaquin Castro introduced the legislation to mandate the development of a multi-year strategy and implementation plan for coordinated regional military, diplomatic, and development initiatives in the region.
“As the United States deepens our engagement in the Indo-Pacific, we can’t afford to overlook the importance of the Indian Ocean Region,” Castro said in a statement. “Home to nearly 40 percent of the world’s population and stretching across three continents, the Indian Ocean Region is a vital center of economic growth and innovation. I’m glad to introduce the Indian Ocean Strategic Review Act, which will streamline US diplomacy, defense, and development coordination with our allies and partners to build a free, safe, and prosperous future for the Indian Ocean Region and the world.”
The Indian Ocean Region Strategic Review Act is based on a recommendation of the Bipartisan US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, a body set up in 2000 to review and report on the US-China relationship. In the Commission’s 2022 report, it was recommended that the US administration submit an IOR strategy that would include plans to develop US economic interests in the region, defend freedom of navigation, support regional partners and promote cooperation with Japan, Australia, India, the UK and France, among others.
While introducing the legislation on May.14, Issa spoke of countering "China's aggression" to help achieve goals specified in the IOR strategy.
“As we seek to counter China’s aggression and establish a winning Indo-Pacific strategy, America’s engagement with the Indian Ocean Region is critically important to our national interest. It is a point of intersection of widespread global trade and rapid economic growth, and it warrants a priority position in America’s policy choices. As we work to deepen our relationship and strengthen our partnerships in the Indian Ocean Region, I’m joining with Rep. Castro to advance the Indian Ocean Strategic Review Act and bring needed focus on this critical part of the world and our future in it,” said Issa.
Interestingly, Donald Lu, the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, had acknowledged during a February 2024 discussion in Washington that the US was a “big force” in diplomatic matters pertaining to the Indian Ocean region but India was a much “bigger force” in the region.
Lu was recently seen in India during a May.10-15 state trip that included visits to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
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