Indo-Pacific groupings must complement, not compete; experts push deeper maritime cooperation

Panchkula, Sep 30 (UNI) Regional frameworks in the Indo-Pacific should complement rather than compete with each other, with stronger cooperation needed in maritime security, connectivity, trade, the blue economy, climate resilience and sustainable development, diplomats and international experts said at a two-day international conference organised by Kurukshetra University at Kurukshetra. The fourth international conference, organised by the university's International Centre for Indo-Pacific Studies (ICIPS), examined ways to strengthen regional cooperation and effectively implement the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) amid geopolitical shifts and growing economic, security and environmental challenges in the maritime domain. Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Secretary-General Sanjiv Ranjan…