An international conference titled 'India & the Indian Ocean:Renewing the Maritime Trade & Civilisational Linkages' would be held in the city from March 20-22.
The first of its kind conference is expected to witness participation of 20 nations from the region, popularly known as Indian Ocean Rim countries. The conference would be inaugurated by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and minister for petroleum & natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan would be the guest of honour. Defence minister Manohar Parikkar would be the chief guest at the valedictory session of the conference.
The three-day deliberation would covering 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.
The conference is being organised by the Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS) jointly with Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS).
"Indian Ocean Rim countries have strategic relevance as well as socio cultural similarities, which are key to fostering sustained economic as well as trade ties in the region. This conference will set a platform for exchange of ideas and therefore re-energise the concept of linkage in the backdrop of current geopolitical developments and alignments," said Arindam Mukherjee, secretary, Institute of Social and Cultural Studies. "This conference will provide a valuable opportunity to study and analyse Indian Ocean from all the aspects and perspectives -historical, economical, geo political, cultural, energy security, religion, literature, trade, migration and diaspora," he added.
