Transforming India-Australia relations into a strategic partnership

This paper analyses how India and Australia can build on their relationship to become strategic partners. It argues that rising Chinese assertiveness needs to be balanced by a security architecture that is not led by the US, if a Cold War-type grouping of nations is to be avoided. It contends that a security architecture based around the ASEAN Regional Forum or East Asia Summit may not be effective, as the ASEAN countries lack military capacity and do not propagate military alliances.

The paper asserts that a strategic relationship between India and Australia, based on common political, economic and security cooperation, could provide the balancing influence. Being located away from China's immediate area of influence, such a relationship would not directly threaten Chinese interests but would still be able to exert influence over the sea lines of communication passing through the Indian Ocean region. The paper concludes that a strategic alliance between India and Australia could contribute to a more stable Indo-Pacific region and ensure the independence of action of South Asian countries.

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