Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) recently held its fourth iteration in Delhi, an apex international annual conference of the Indian Navy that started in 2018. Postponed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, IPRD has been a platform for reviewing geopolitics within the Indo-Pacific region, identifying opportunities and dangers, and analyzing international relations and geopolitical factors strategically important to India. The National Maritime Foundation (NMF) partners with the Navy to organize this crucial event. The 2022 theme revolved around the operationalization of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
Overview of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)
The Indian Prime Minister unveiled IPOI at the 14th East Asia Summit in 2019. It is an inclusive framework for regional cooperation focusing on seven interconnected spokes or pillars – Maritime Security, Maritime Ecology, Maritime Resources, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Trade-Connectivity and Maritime Transport, Capacity-building and Resource sharing, Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation.
A Comprehensive Understanding of the Indo-Pacific Region
The term “Indo-Pacific” is relatively new, gaining prominence over the last decade due to the realization that the Indian Ocean and the Pacific are interconnected strategic theaters. The center of gravity shifting towards Asia is another factor contributing to its popularity. Primarily, maritime routes along with the Indian Ocean and the Pacific enable a significant volume of worldwide trade.
Economic and Strategic Importance of the Indo-Pacific Region
The Indo-Pacific region, which spans across four continents – Asia, Africa, Australia, and America – houses 60% of the global population and produces 2/3rd of global economic output. Its dynamism and vitality are unparalleled, with it becoming a hotspot for Foreign Direct Investment. Critical and large supply chains worldwide invariably have an Indo-Pacific connection.
Additionally, the Indian and Pacific Oceans combined contain vast reserves of marine resources, including offshore hydrocarbons, methane hydrates, seabed minerals, and rare earth metals. Several littoral countries with sizable coastlines and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) have competitive capabilities for exploiting these resources. This region is home to many of the world’s largest economies, including India, U.S.A, China, Japan, Australia.
The Influence of AUKUS in the Indo-Pacific Region
A recent question in the UPSC Civil Services Examination highlighted the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region. It asked about the new tri-nation partnership, AUKUS, which aims at countering China’s ambitions in this region. The question offered an opportunity to evaluate the strength and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario and discuss whether it might supersede existing partnerships in the region.
In essence, the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue offers a platform to engage in significant geopolitics discussions, identify opportunities and dangers, and strategize for the future. With the IPOI’s seven-pillared approach, it aims to address diverse areas from maritime security to resource sharing. The Indo-Pacific region’s economic and strategic potential is further highlighted, considering the abundant natural resources and major global economies it houses.