What is the common examiner trap about Intl. Relations in UPSC exams?

They may ask which country launched the IPOI (India) versus which grouping launched the surveillance initiative (Quad). Another trap is swapping the focus of Pax Silica (silicon supply chains) with other critical minerals or confusing it with an Indian scheme.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Intl. Relations for Prelims?

1. Target this Initiative: Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Initiative (launched by Quad) 2. Target this Nodal Body: The Quad (India, US, Japan, Australia) 3. Target this Year: Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) launched in 2019

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News 13 of 25

Quad Launches Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Initiative 2026; India's IPOI 2019 Gains Momentum

Q: The 'Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)' was launched by the Prime Minister of which country?

India, As per the article, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India launched the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) in 2019. This is a key Indian foreign policy initiative for the region.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the news article: 1. The Quad grouping has agreed to start an Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance initiative. 2. The Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) was launched by India in 2021. 3. The Pax Silica initiative is related to securing silicon-based supply chains. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as the article cites the Quad's decision to start the maritime surveillance initiative. Statement 2 is incorrect because the IPOI was launched in 2019, not 2021. Statement 3 is correct as the article explicitly mentions the U.S. Pax Silica initiative for silicon supply chains. Hence, option C is correct.

Q: In which year was the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) launched by India?

2019, The article clearly states that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) in 2019. The other options are years associated with other geopolitical events but are distractors in this context.

Q: According to Ambassador Vinay Kwatra, what was a key reality check for the world regarding supply chains, as mentioned in the article?

The challenges posed by product and supply chain concentration in foreign geographies, The article quotes the envoy stating that the COVID-19 pandemic gave the world a reality check on the challenges posed by product and supply chain concentration in foreign geographies. This directly underscores the impetus for building more reliable and diversified supply chains, a key point in his discussion.

Intl. Relations Security & Defence PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

12 Jun 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:IPOI 2019

Bodies:Quad

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.India's Ambassador to the US emphasized robust Indo-Pacific cooperation and the Quad's recent decision to launch a maritime surveillance initiative for the region.

2.He highlighted the 2019 Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) launched by PM Modi and noted the shift of the world's economic center to the Indo-Pacific due to the rise of China, India, and ASEAN.

3.For exams, focus on the institutional mechanisms (Quad, IPOI), the strategic shift in economic gravity, and India's role in building resilient supply chains post-COVID-19.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, highlighted the robust strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, anchored by the Quad's new Maritime Surveillance Initiative and India's 2019 Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). This news is critical for understanding India's evolving role in a region where the global economic center is shifting.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Initiative LaunchedIndo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Initiative (by Quad)

Indian Initiative (Year)Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) - 2019

US Initiative CitedPax Silica initiative (silicon supply chains)

1-Minute Revision

›Initiative Launched: Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Initiative (by Quad)
›Indian Initiative (Year): Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) - 2019
›Target this Initiative: Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Initiative (launched by Quad)
›Target this Nodal Body: The Quad (India, US, Japan, Australia)
›Target this Year: Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) launched in 2019

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News Snapshot

🌊

Quad's New Initiative

The Quad grouping (India, US, Japan, Australia) has agreed to start a maritime surveillance initiative for the Indo-Pacific region.

🗺️

Economic Center Shift

The economic center of the world has largely shifted to the Indo-Pacific region due to the rise of China, India, and ASEAN nations.

⚓

India's IPOI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) in 2019 to work with regional partners on maritime challenges and opportunities.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Indo-Pacific has emerged as the world's pivotal strategic and economic theater. India's active diplomacy, through forums like the Quad and its own IPOI, seeks to shape a rules-based order and ensure maritime security, countering unilateral actions and ensuring freedom of navigation. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in concentrated global supply chains, further underscoring the need for regional resilience.

Core Analysis & Implications

Ambassador Kwatra's statement underscores a shift from narrative-building to on-ground, empirical cooperation. The Quad's maritime surveillance initiative is a tangible step towards domain awareness and security. India's IPOI, focusing on pillars like maritime security and disaster risk reduction, complements this. The mention of the US Pax Silica initiative links strategic cooperation to critical technology supply chains, highlighting the fusion of economic and security interests in the region.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The focus will be on operationalizing the Quad's surveillance initiative and deepening IPOI collaboration with ASEAN and other partners. India-US partnership in building 'reliable supply chains' will be tested in sectors like semiconductors, clean energy, and defense. Future developments may include more joint infrastructure projects, capacity-building exercises, and institutionalizing dialogue on emerging technologies and cybersecurity within the Indo-Pacific framework.

Key Facts at a Glance

Initiative LaunchedIndo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Initiative (by Quad)

Indian Initiative (Year)Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) - 2019

US Initiative CitedPax Silica initiative (silicon supply chains)

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

The 'Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)' was launched by the Prime Minister of which country?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the news article:

1. The Quad grouping has agreed to start an Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance initiative.

2. The Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) was launched by India in 2021.

3. The Pax Silica initiative is related to securing silicon-based supply chains.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, State PSC

In which year was the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) launched by India?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

According to Ambassador Vinay Kwatra, what was a key reality check for the world regarding supply chains, as mentioned in the article?

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Quad Launches Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Initiative 2026; India's IPOI 2019 Gains Momentum

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Quad's New Initiative

Economic Center Shift

India's IPOI

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance