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UPSC Notes

Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)

PYQs

9

Articles

2

Momentum

25

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

FOIP is central to India's foreign policy and strategic outlook in the maritime domain, its engagement with the Quad, and its approach to regional security and economic partnerships. It directly impacts India's strategic interests and role in the evolving global order.

The Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) is a strategic concept advocating for a region that is free from coercion, respects international law, and promotes open trade, connectivity, and maritime security. It emphasizes the importance of a rules-based order and inclusive cooperation among nations in the Indo-Pacific region.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Origin and Proponents

Originally articulated by Japan, it has been adopted and promoted by other nations including the US, India, and Australia (Quad members).

Core Principles

Emphasizes freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful resolution of disputes, adherence to international law, and open trade.

Objectives

Aims to promote connectivity, infrastructure development, economic integration, and a rules-based regional order.

Geopolitical Context

Often viewed as a strategy to counter unilateral actions and ensure stability amidst China's growing influence in the region.

Geographical Scope

Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean

Strategic Importance

Critical for global trade, energy routes, and geopolitical influence

Key Players

India, US, Japan, Australia, ASEAN countries, China

Guiding Principles

Free, open, inclusive, rules-based order, freedom of navigation

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaInternational Relations
Conceptual areaPhysical & Regional Geography

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue)Supports
ASEANEngages with
Indian Coast GuardContributes to maritime security in the region
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Statement-based questions

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • Strategic vision for a rules-based, inclusive, and secure Indo-Pacific.
  • Key principles: freedom of navigation, international law, open trade, peaceful dispute resolution.
  • Promoted by Japan, US, India, Australia (Quad members).
  • Aims to counter unilateral actions and promote regional stability and prosperity.
  • Focus on connectivity, infrastructure development, and maritime security.

Elimination traps

Body vs treaty — FOIP is a strategic concept/vision and a policy framework, not a formal treaty or a specific international organization.

Treaty = agreement between states; body = institution.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this ...

International RelationsOpen question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) | List II (Period of Operation) ...

International RelationsOpen question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

International RelationsOpen question

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

International RelationsOpen question
2026Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this ...

International RelationsOpen question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) | List II (Period of Operation) ...

International RelationsOpen question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

International RelationsOpen question

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

International RelationsOpen question
2026Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this ...

International RelationsOpen question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) | List II (Period of Operation) ...

International RelationsOpen question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

International RelationsOpen question

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

International RelationsOpen question
2026Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this ...

International RelationsOpen question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) | List II (Period of Operation) ...

International RelationsOpen question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

International RelationsOpen question

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

International RelationsOpen question
2025Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect

International RelationsOpen question
2023Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

International RelationsOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-mem...

International RelationsOpen question
2017Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): 1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indi...

International RelationsOpen question
2015Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. Ch...

International RelationsOpen question

Topic timeline

International RelationsPhysical & Regional Geography
Prelims 2015· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. Ch...

Open question
Prelims 2017· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): 1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indi...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-mem...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect

Open question
Prelims 2026· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this ...

Open question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) | List II (Period of Operation) ...

Open question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

Open question

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this ...

Open question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) | List II (Period of Operation) ...

Open question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

Open question

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this ...

Open question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) | List II (Period of Operation) ...

Open question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

Open question

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this ...

Open question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) | List II (Period of Operation) ...

Open question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

Open question

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

Open question

​Two together: on the Japanese Prime Minister’s visit to India

06 Jul 2026 · FOIP is a strategic vision for a rules-based, inclusive, and secure Indo-Pacific, promoting freedom of navigation, economic connectivity, and peaceful resolution of disputes, with India playing a crucial role in its implementation.

Read article

ICG ship Shaunak sails for Australia with QUAD officers onboard

26 Sep 2026 · The Indo-Pacific is a vital geopolitical region for global trade and security, where major powers like India are pursuing strategies to ensure a free, open, and rules-based maritime order.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)

Often confused with

India's Maritime Strategy and Diplomacy in the Indian Ocean Region

Open notesOften confused with

Geopolitical Significance of Maritime Chokepoints

Open notesOften confused with

Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue)

Open notesOften confused with

India-U.S. Bilateral Relations

Open notesOften confused with

India-Australia Bilateral Relations

Open notesOften confused with

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Transatlantic Security Dynamics

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 9 linked questions on Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

2023·International Relations
Solve

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this ...

2026·International Relations
Solve

India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect

2025·International Relations
Solve

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) | List II (Period of Operation) ...

2026·International Relations
Solve

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

2026·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): 1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indi...

2017·International Relations
Solve

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

2026·International Relations
Solve

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. Ch...

2015·International Relations
Solve

With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-mem...

2022·International Relations
Solve

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