Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) established in 1960 under UNESCO, is promoting global co-operation in marine scientific investigations, ocean services and capacity building in developing countries through the concerted efforts of all the member states. There are a total of 127 countries as members of the IOC. India is a member of IOC and presently is a member on its Executive Council. India is actively participating in all the meetings and sessions of the IOC and is contributing to the growth of oceanographic research and services. Being a country with significant advancements in oceanographic research, India is more a contributor to the cause of the international co-operation in oceanographic science and services than a recipient.

An Indian delegation headed by Secretary, DOD attended the XXXII Session of Executive Council of IOC and XX session of IOC Assembly held at Paris from 28 June 1999 to 9 July 1999. India has presented the national programmes relating to IOC being implemented by the department. The delegation also contributed to the discussions in the Assembly on IOC programmes. A country report was prepared and circulated in the Assembly highlighting the activities undertaken by various institutes in India towards celebration of International Year of the Ocean, 1998. India has been re-elected as a Member on the Executive Council.

A three member Indian delegation headed by Secretary, DOD attended the third session of IOC Regional Committee for Central Indian Ocean (IOC-INDIA) held at Tehahran, Islamic Republic of Iran during 21st to 23rd Feburary 2000. Dr. A.E. Muthunayagam, Secretary DOD was re-elected as Chairman, IOCINDIA planned to be held at Sri Lanka . The inter-sessional activities in the region were reviewed . The member states presented their programme. India presented the initiative in the regional programme on strom surge in the northern part of Indian Ocean and also their national programmes on Ocean Science & Technology.

The IOCINDIA Regional Workshop and WMO/IOC Regional Meeting on the proposal on Storm Surge Disaster Reduction in the Northern Part of the India, Ocean, was organised during 20-26 October 1999 in New Delhi to arrive at a consensus among Member States on proposal and draw a Plan of Action for implementation of the project. This workshop was convened by World Meteorological Organisation and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission with a view to considering the draft proposal by the Member countries in the Northern Indian Ocean. Representatives of eight member states (Bangladesh, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) and four international organisations and regional bodies including one funding agency took part in the meeting. The Committee has recommended setting up of a Regional Project Office in Delhi, India for implementation of the project. Department has been given the responsibility of monitor the implementation of the action plans. The Department is also given responsibility to seek international financial assistance for the project.