At the 8th Indian Ocean Conference held in Oman in 2025, Sri Lanka was represented by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. During the conference, he met with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and they held extensive discussions on Indo–Sri Lanka relations.
The Indian Ocean Conference, initiated in 2016 by the India Foundation, brings together leaders, experts, and ministers from around 40 countries. It serves as an important platform for maritime diplomacy.
Sri Lanka has also held the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association. The country was actively engaged in the association from 2023 to 2025. After assuming office as Foreign Minister, Vijitha Herath participated in its activities and chaired the 2025 meetings.
Sri Lanka is one of the countries that proposed declaring the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace, a proposal that was later approved by the United Nations. At present, Sri Lanka urgently needs the support of its regional neighbors to maintain peace and maritime security in the Indian Ocean. This need has been underscored by a recent incident in which the United States launched an attack on Iranian vessels near Sri Lanka’s waters, placing the country in the midst of an international crisis.
At a time when peace in the Indian Ocean is under threat, it is essential for Sri Lanka to actively participate in conferences and organizations that focus on maritime diplomacy and maritime security.
However, at the recently held 9th Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius, Sri Lanka was not represented by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. In fact, not even a senior official attended on behalf of the country.
Although Sri Lanka is a small nation, it has attracted global attention due to its strategic location in the Indian Ocean. This has given the country significant geopolitical importance. As a result, Sri Lanka is considered a key partner in the Indian ocean region. To demonstrate this partnership, Sri Lanka must work closely with neighboring countries and take part in the decision-making processes concerning the Indian Ocean. Failing to do so will ultimately be to Sri Lanka’s own disadvantage.
