Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)

20.03.2025

Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)

Why in the news?                        

The Prime Minister recently welcomed New Zealand’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative, highlighting both nations’ shared interest in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

About Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI):

• IPOI was launched by India in November 2019 at the ASEAN-led East Asia Summit (EAS) in Bangkok.
• It builds upon the “Security and Growth for All in the Region” (SAGAR) initiative announced by the Prime Minister in 2015.
• Its objective was to promote cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific and the rules-based regional order, which will contribute towards strengthening safety, stability and development in the maritime domain.
• As a non-treaty-based voluntary arrangement, it aims to achieve greater cohesion and integration through common understanding and actions related to shared interests.
• It does not envisage a new institutional framework and leans heavily on the EAS mechanism, which includes ASEAN member states and its eight dialogue partners.
• The IPOI outlined seven pillars, and it was indicated that one or two countries could take the lead for a pillar with others joining in voluntarily. The seven IPOI pillars are:
  • Maritime Security: The United Kingdom (UK) and India
  • Maritime Ecology: Australia and Thailand
  • Maritime Resources: France and Indonesia
  • Capacity Building and Resource Sharing: Germany
  • Disaster Risk Reduction and Management: India and Bangladesh
  • Science, Technology, and Academic Cooperation: Italy and Singapore
  • Trade, Connectivity, and Maritime Transport: Japan and the United States (US).

                                                           Source: The Hindu

Consider the following statements regarding the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI):

1. It was launched by India to promote cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

2. It is a non-treaty-based voluntary arrangement.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only

B.2 only

C.Both 1 and 2

D.Neither 1 nor 2

Answer C