The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is often referred to as the ‘Constitution for the Oceans’. It addresses multiple issues of boundaries and delimitation, settlement of disputes, marine scientific research, commercial, economic and technological activities in the oceans and enables States to better utilise marine resources in a sustainable manner.The Indian Ocean has enormous potential for living and non-living resources and sustainable utilisation of these resources can be achieved by strict adherence to international legal instruments. The IORA can play a significant role in this endeavour by promoting cooperative agendas in the region in accordance with the legal framework provided by the 1982 UNCLOS.