Deputy Secretary Verma’s Meeting with IORA Secretary General Al Farisi

The following is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma met today in Mauritius with the Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), H.E. Salman Al Farisi. Deputy Secretary Verma thanked Secretary General Al Farisi for ongoing engagement between the United States and IORA and underscored the importance of IORA’s role as a valued partner in the Indian Ocean Region. The Deputy Secretary reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to expanding collaboration with IORA on key priorities — including the climate crisis; support for a sustainable blue economy; global health; and maritime security — as we address key global challenges together.

Deputy Secretary Verma also shared plans, working with Congress, to provide $6 million for maritime security cooperation with IORA member states Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and India to boost interdiction and law enforcement capacity in the South Asian sub-region of the Indian Ocean. Deputy Secretary Verma and Secretary General Al Farisi also discussed, and agreed to further explore, the possibility of providing U.S. technical support to the organization.