The acronym FOIP stands for the Free and Open Indo-Pacific, which is a strategic concept and vision, not an Indian act or institution.
The concept was first articulated by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a 2007 speech to the Indian Parliament, and was formally put forward as a strategy by Japan in 2016. The problem it seeks to address is the shifting power balance, maritime insecurity, and growing influence of China in the region, by promoting an inclusive, rules-based order across the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
FOIP works by focusing on three core pillars: the promotion of the rule of law, freedom of navigation, and free trade. It also emphasizes the pursuit of economic prosperity through quality infrastructure and connectivity, and a commitment to peace and stability, including maritime security. India is considered an indispensable partner in this vision, with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announcing a new plan for FOIP in New Delhi on March 20, 2023.
FOIP is closely connected to the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which includes India, Japan, the United States, and Australia, and it underpins the strategic cooperation among these nations. For India, the concept aligns with its own strategic outlook, particularly its Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). The concept has evolved from a vision to a strategic framework, with the US, Australia, and other countries adopting similar language, but its core principles of a rules-based, open, and connected region have remained the same.