Context: Recently, the first Indo-Pacific Trilateral Dialogue was held between India, France and Australia.
Importance of Indo-Pacific Trilateral Dialogue

• It is focussed on enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and coordinated efforts towards economic and geostrategic challenges and cooperation.
• The three countries had an exchange on the priorities, challenges and trends in regional and global multilateral institutions along with the best ways to strengthen and reform multilateralism.
• It will help underscore the goal of guaranteeing peace, security and adherence to international law in the Indo-Pacific.
• It will focus on areas for practical cooperation at the trilateral and regional level, including through regional organisations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
• It is aimed at enhancing maritime security cooperation between the three countries, including in the areas of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, mutual logistics support and capacity-building of friendly countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

Significance of Australia and France for India in Indo-Pacific Region

• Australia and France have emerged as a major strategic partner for India in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and cooperation.
• India has logistics agreements with both countries and there is significant cooperation in information exchange for Maritime Domain Awareness.
• India also conducted its first joint patrols with France from Reunion Island in February 2020.

Significance of the Indo-Pacific Region

• In 2018 Shangrila Dialogue India had clearly indicated the geographical reach of India’s idea of the Indo-Pacific, which starts from Africa to the America, which covers both the Indian and Pacific Oceans, in tandem with that of Japan.
• It is a very rich region in terms of natural resources (fisheries, oil, gas) as well as mineral resources.
• Trade of some of the major economies like China, Japan, Korea or the west coast of the United States goes through this region.
• About 50% of India’s trade is conducted through the South China Sea. India has been one of the major players in the region. India conducts many naval exercises with the United States, countries of ASEAN, Japan, Korea and Vietnam.
• The international community including India wants freedom of navigation, freedom of over flights in the region.

About Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

• It is a dynamic inter-governmental organisation aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region.
• The members of the bloc include Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Somalia, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) assumed the role of Chair since November 2019 - November 2021, followed by the People's Republic of Bangladesh.