India, France, and Australia Deepen Indo-Pacific Cooperation at Trilateral Meeting

In a significant step towards strengthening their strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific, India, France, and Australia convened the Third India-France-Australia Trilateral Focal Points Meeting on June 19, 2024.

The meeting, held in New Delhi, provided a platform for high-level officials from the three nations to review existing initiatives and explore new avenues for collaboration.

Key Focus Areas​

The discussions centered on three primary pillars of cooperation:

1. Maritime Safety and Security: Building on existing initiatives such as joint naval exercises and information sharing, the countries explored proposals to enhance maritime domain awareness and respond to emerging security challenges.
2. Marine and Environmental Cooperation: Recognizing the importance of a healthy and sustainable marine environment, the participants discussed collaborations under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). The focus was on conservation, research, and sustainable resource management.
3. Multilateral Engagement: The countries reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. They explored opportunities for joint efforts within multilateral frameworks, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).

New Proposals and Future Directions​

Several new proposals emerged from the meeting, aimed at further deepening trilateral cooperation. These proposals are expected to leverage the existing mechanisms of IPOI and IORA, while also expanding into areas such as HADR and other multilateral engagements.

The delegations were led by high-ranking officials from the respective foreign ministries:

• India: Piyush Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Europe West) and Ms. Paramita Tripathi, Joint Secretary (Oceania and Indo-Pacific)
• France: Benoît Guidée, Director (Asia and Oceania), Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Australia: Ms. Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary, South and Central Asia Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

A Shared Vision for the Indo-Pacific​

In a joint statement, the three countries reiterated their shared commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. This vision aligns with the growing recognition of the Indo-Pacific as a critical geopolitical and economic arena, where cooperation among like-minded nations is essential to address common challenges and ensure regional stability and prosperity.