India, Indonesia, Australia resolve to work towards a free Indo-Pacific

New Delhi. The overall situation in the Indo-Pacific was reviewed in this trilateral dialogue. During the meeting, the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to work towards a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that the three parties discussed to explore opportunities for cooperation under the framework of the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) mechanisms, maritime domain awareness, marine pollution and blue economy cooperation. The three parties noted the similarities between India's Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI) and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

According to the ministry, India, Indonesia and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to advance their shared values ​​and work together towards a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.

The Indian side was led by Joint Secretary (Oceania and Indo-Pacific) Parmita Tripathi in the meeting, while the Indonesian side was led by Adi Zulfuaat, Director of Pacific and Oceanic Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Australian side was led by Sarah Story, First Assistant Secretary, South and Central Asia Division in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Let us tell you that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had proposed the establishment of the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative at the East Asia Summit in Bangkok in 2019 to make meaningful efforts to conserve and sustainably use the maritime area and create a safe maritime area. India has consistently supported the central role of ASEAN, an organization of Southeast Asian nations, in the Indo-Pacific.