New Delhi: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the Ministry of External Affairs' proposal for Sanjiv Ranjan to assume the role of Secretary General at the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Secretariat in Mauritius. Ranjan, an Indian Foreign Service officer from the 1993 batch, will take up this foreign assignment for a three-year term starting on 1 January 2025.

The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pension confirmed the appointment, stating that Ranjan's term will continue until his superannuation on 31 January 2026, or until further orders, whichever comes first.

The Indian Ocean Rim Association, established in 1997, is an inter-governmental organisation aimed at fostering regional economic cooperation across the Indian Ocean. The association has grown into a significant regional body, with its Secretariat based in Mauritius and led by a Secretary General appointed for a fixed term.

IORA consists of 23 member states, including India, Australia, Indonesia, and South Africa, and is supported by 12 dialogue partners, such as China, the European Union, and the United States. In 2015, IORA gained observer status at both the United Nations General Assembly and the African Union, reflecting its increasing influence in regional and international affairs. /BI