Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)

News– The Prime Minister recently expressed appreciation for New Zealand’s involvement in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. It emphasizes the shared commitment of both nations to regional peace and stability. Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).

About Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)

• Genesis:
  • India introduced the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) in November 2019 during the ASEAN-led East Asia Summit (EAS) in Bangkok
  • It expands upon the “Security and Growth for All in the Region” (SAGAR) initiative, which was unveiled by the Prime Minister in 2015.
• Objective-To foster cooperation for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region, thereby enhancing security, stability, and development in the maritime domain.
• As a voluntary, non-treaty-based initiative, IPOI seeks to enhance cohesion and regional integration through shared understanding and collective action.
• Instead of establishing a new institutional framework, it relies significantly on the EAS mechanism, which includes ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners.

Structure and Key Pillars

• IPOI is structured around seven thematic pillars, with one or more countries taking the lead in each, while others participate voluntarily. The seven IPOI pillars and their respective lead nations are:
  • Maritime Security – Led by India and the United Kingdom (UK)
  • Maritime Ecology – Led by Australia and Thailand
  • Maritime Resources – Led by France and Indonesia
  • Capacity Building and Resource Sharing – Led by Germany
  • Disaster Risk Reduction and Management – Led by India and Bangladesh
  • Science, Technology, and Academic Cooperation – Led by Italy and Singapore
  • Trade, Connectivity, and Maritime Transport – Led by Japan and the United States (US)