By Chinmayee Chetana Behera
Today, the Indo Pacific stands out to be one of the world's most significant and interconnected regions in the world. The region stretches from the East Africa's coast all the way to U.S. West Coast, this massive maritime zone covers half of the world's population and the global trade. The region is important for its economic power, rich natural resources and cultural diversity.
India sees these ties as an opportunity to approach Indo Pacific centers for cooperation, peace and long-term sustainability. Back in 2019, India launched the "Indo Pacific Ocean Initiative"(IPOI) at the East Asia Summit. The idea was simple but ambitious, which is to focus on international cooperation and collaboration among the countries. The IPOI is a reflection of India's aim to maintain the region's stability, openness and universal benefits for all. It demonstrates how inclusive growth, environmental preservation and marine governance can work together to build a common future for the region.
Understanding India in the Indo-Pacific Region
The term "Indo- Pacific" does not only refer to the geographical connection of the two oceans, but rather it reflects the increasing knowledge about the security and prosperity between the nation of Asia, Africa and Oceania. With an area of 60% of the world's GDP and two-thirds of its population, Indo-Pacific has become a multi-cultural and multi-polar region.
More than 60% of the maritime trade worldwide in goods and energy originates from this region. India views Indo-Pacific as an inclusive, not exclusive, evolving world order. It sees the region as the basis of communication, which includes mutual gains, respect for international law, and freedom of navigation. India as one of the leading supporters helped to promote a rule- based order in the Indo-Pacific. It has worked to formalize and legalize the concept of Indo-pacific. India's earlier Maritime vision was "Security and Growth for All in the Region" (SAGAR) which led the foundations for the Indo Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI). The IPOI offers a concrete plan that achieves the vision of shared prosperity by SAGAR. Rather than a formal alliance or treaty, the IPOI provides an open and flexible framework. Every country, regardless of size or power, is welcome to contribute according to its interests and capabilities. This flexible framework of the IPOI makes it special and ideal for the complicated reality of the Indo-Pacific region.
India's Indo Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI)
"Indo Pacific Ocean Initiative" (IPOI) was announced by India in the East Asia Summit in 2019. It is a multidisciplinary project that aims at promoting sustainable development, peace and stability within and beyond the Indo Pacific region.
It mainly focuses on seven pillars: -
1. Maritime Security
2. Maritime Ecology
3. Maritime Resource
4. Capacity building and resource sharing
5. Disaster risk reduction and management
6. Science, technology and Academic cooperation.
7. Trade, connectivity and Maritime transportation.
The IPOI aims to create a secure, sustainable and peaceful ocean due to the rules- based maritime order that ensures the region remains open, stable and free from any kind of threat. It promotes international cooperation, resource sharing, disaster management and protects the countries from various challenges like illegal fishing and marine pollution. This initiative provides us with knowledge on how to carefully use and restore the ocean and its resources for our future generations, as it's a shared heritage. It aims to empower smaller coastal and island states by enhancing their maritime infrastructure, policy framework, and research capacity, which promotes a sense of shared prosperity and mutual responsibility.
Challenges of the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative
1. Institution gaps - one of the main challenges is the absence of a clear framework for multilateral and multi-stakeholder cooperation in each of the seven pillars. Even though the IPOI is meant to be open and flexible, still the openness has made it difficult to make a concrete plan and reliable outcomes. Without a clear institutional plan, often the coordination between the countries is broken and solely depends on individual efforts.
2. Geopolitical tension - Geopolitical dynamics in this region is not simple and keeps changing constantly. Different countries in this region have their own perspective, that shapes the way the IPOI is perceived. Big-picture politics often make some countries hold back from further engagement.
3. Resource constraints - Due to a lack of proper funding and the latest maritime technology, many countries struggle to take part in the process, which affects the overall progress of the Initiative.
4. Inclusivity Issue - Although the initiative talks about being transparent and cooperative, some of the East Africa and the Gulf council regions don't have much of a voice. More participation from these regions would provide more credibility and validity to the initiative.
Conclusion
The "Indo Pacific Ocean Initiative"(IPOI) is launched by India to promote cooperation, security and sustainability among the nations in the region. The initiative provides a platform for the countries to work together in areas such as marine security, disaster relief, trade, sustainable ocean and many more through mutual understanding and proper dialogues. The IPOI is still in the developing phase, yet if all nations cooperate and accept the IPOI, then there will be lasting regional stability. Thus, we can conclude by saying that here the ocean doesn’t separate instead connects the nations for shared prosperity and a peaceful ocean, turning barriers into opportunities.
Chinmayee Chetana Behera is a post-graduate in Politics and International Relations from Pondicherry University. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Kalinga Institute of Indo-Pacific Studies.
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