Further Extension Of QUAD to INDO-PACIFIC MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS(IPMDA) Initiative

Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness(IPMDA)

On October 29–30, the Goa Maritime Conclave(GMC) was held in Panaji, the Indian Navy chief, Admiral R.Harikumar said, “We understand the significance of this region for global peace and prosperity & we are dedicated to working with our QUAD partners and other regional nations to make the Indo-Pacific, a safer and more stable place for all”

He further said the IPMDA( Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative Awareness) initiative announced by the QUAD grouping is proof of the free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. This will be instrumental in shaping the security and stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)

The initiative(IPMDA) stresses on comprehensive system for monitoring and serving maritime activities in the Indo-Pacific, ensuring the safety of communication lines and promoting cooperation among the countries over the region!!!

The initiative,(IPMDA) was expected to be unveiled in early 2022 at Tokyo Summit by QUAD(Japan, India, United States, Australia) countries to track “dark shipping” and build a faster, wider, and more accurate maritime picture of near real-time activities in partners water integrating 3 critical regions in the Indo pacific I.e Indo-Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean Region, but the efforts bore fruit now.

Economic Importance of Indo-Pacifics

• Contains key economic trade routes like the Strait of Malacca( global 30% cargo trade)
• To balance the geopolitical economic power, however, the major geopolitical giants like Russia, China, India & the United States have their presence in this region, making it an exclusive zone for its individual prosperity.
• To balance China’s sovereignty of transgression to nearby countries.
• Ensuring Maritime security, Issues such as piracy, territorial disputes, and the need to protect sea lanes make maritime security a top priority.
• Environment and ecological significance, the region is home for exclusive species fishes, corals etc, making it beneficial for exploration, sea mining, fishing etc.

However, initiative IPMDA(Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative Awareness) has is specific role to play in the region. It is under the ambit of QUAD countries making it an invincible initiative in the global geopolitical arena in safeguarding their respective cargo through satellite monitoring, tracking and proper communication!!

It’s capabilities are yet to unveil ahead!!!!!!