Why in news?
The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Information Fusion Center (IFC) was launched in 2018 and has played a good role.
IFC for IOR:
- In order to improve maritime security in and beyond the region, the IFC-IOR has been developed to create a coherent and shared image of the maritime situation as a hub for maritime knowledge around the world.
- IFC is the single point core for the development of a smooth, actual-time picture of almost 7,500 km of the shoreline, created by the Gurugram Information and Analysis Centre of the Indian Navy.
- Data will be shared through this Center, either about “clean sailing” or fishing, with countries in the region to raise awareness about the sea domain in the Indian Ocean.
- The Indian Ocean has a wealth of natural resources. The Indian Ocean Basin accounts for 40 percent of global production of offshore oil.
- Fishing is approximately 15 percent of the global total in the Indian Ocean.
- Mineral resources of equal importance, including poly metallic modules containing nickel, cobalt and iron nodules and large manganese, copper, coal, zinc, silver and gold deposits are found on the seabed.
- IOR also includes a number of coastal and island nations and increase of maritime piracy in the region needs to be countered.
- IFR-IRO must ensure that mutual cooperation, information exchange and communication on the issues and risks that exist in the region will be helpful to the world as a whole.
- As of now, it provides services to 18 countries and up to 15 security centers in several locations.
