Sanjiv Ranjan, an Indian Foreign Service Officer of the 1993 batch, has been appointed as the next Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), according to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.  

Currently serving as Officer on Special Duty in the Ministry of External Affairs, Ranjan will take up his new assignment in Mauritius, where the IORA Secretariat is based, starting January 1, 2025.  

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the proposal on August 18, enabling Ranjan to assume the role of Secretary General for a three-year term, extending until his superannuation in January 2026, or until further orders, whichever comes earlier.  

The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), established in 1997, aims to promote regional economic cooperation and has become a leading inter-governmental organization for the Indian Ocean region. The organization includes 23 member states, including India, Australia, South Africa, Iran, Indonesia, and others, and 12 dialogue partners, such as China, the European Union, and the United States.  

The IORA Secretariat in Mauritius is headed by a fixed-term Secretary-General, and Ranjan’s appointment follows the tradition of leadership from the Indian Ocean region. IORA became an observer at the UN General Assembly and the African Union in 2015.  

With his vast experience in foreign service, Ranjan’s leadership is expected to play a key role in advancing regional cooperation, economic growth, and strategic partnerships across the Indian Ocean.