June 04, 2021

CASTRO INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE U.S. STRATEGY IN THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION

WASHINGTON — Congressman Castro (TX-20), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, introduced the Indian Ocean Region Strategic Review Act topromote economic and security cooperation with civil society, the private sector, and the governments in the Indian Ocean region. This bill is also included as part of the EAGLE Act. 

“The Indian Ocean region is increasingly important to the diplomatic, economic, and security interests of the United States,” said Congressman Castro. “Yet, despite the push to engage with the Indo-Pacific as a whole, our nation’s interests in the Indian Ocean region are too often vaguely defined. This legislation would ensure that the United States’ approach to the region is rooted in working with our allies, supporting development priorities, and building up regional governance to complement U.S. policy in the Pacific.” 

The Indian Ocean Region Strategic Review Act will require the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a multi-year strategy for U.S. engagement with the Indian Ocean Region, to include working with allies and partners in the region, supporting development priorities in the region, and strengthening regional governance. The bill would also include the annual Department of Defense report on the military activities of the People’s Republic of China to include its activities in the Indian Ocean Region.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

###