<p>This study investigates the interannual variability of energy contained in wind waves in the Tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) with a focus on the September-November (SON) season. EOF analysis revealed a robust tripole spatial pattern in wind wave power (WWP) variability, highlighting three key regions with the largest fluctuations. Correlation of WWP anomalies with the Dipole Mode Index (DMI) confirms the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) as the dominant driver of this variability, with composite analyses revealing distinct and opposing responses across IOD phases. Composite analysis of wind energy input to surface waves also exhibits a similar tripole pattern, reinforcing the spatial coherence of the observed variability. The study revealed the interplay among wind speed, phase speed of surface waves and relative wind-wave direction in governing the IOD-induced variability in inverse wave age, which in turn modulates the energy input to surface waves. Together, these dynamics define the mechanisms that drive WWP variability in TIO caused by the IOD. These findings clarify the dynamic link between IOD-induced anomalies in met-ocean parameters and WWP in the study region, providing insights into the modulation of wave climate under natural climate oscillations. This improved understanding has the potential to enhance predictions of WWP in the context of a changing climate, particularly in a region where the IOD exerts a profound influence. Focusing on wind waves is especially critical in the TIO, where they strongly govern surface Stokes drift and modulate key air-sea interactions that shape IOD behaviour.</p>