Our western front: Australia and the Indian Ocean

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) today released a new report, Our western front: Australia and the Indian Ocean.

This report, authored by Sam Bateman and Anthony Bergin argues that Australia should develop a comprehensive policy approach to our Indian Ocean neighbourhood.

Australia is a three ocean country with the largest area of marine jurisdiction in the Indian Ocean, yet we have neglected the Indian Ocean, compared to the Pacific and Southern oceans. 
 
A new maritime great game is emerging in the Indian Ocean, as strategic competition between India and China becomes evident. It’s the major energy and international trade maritime highway, particularly for the booming economies of Asia.

Among the report’s 27 recommendations are that:

• Australia should focus on the East Indian Ocean to build cooperation between the countries of that sub region, which share a range of clear and pressing common interests.
 
• Australia should make more headway in marine research in the Indian Ocean, particularly in terms of understanding the drivers of weather and climate change. 
 
• Australia should make a greater effort to ensure that fisheries arrangements in the Indian Ocean are effective.
 
• Defence should establish a naval operating base in the northwest, because of the growing importance and value of infrastructure developments in that area. 
• More regular air and surface patrols should be undertaken around the Cocos Islands.

• The Western Australian Government might consider creating a portfolio for Indian Ocean region affairs.
  
• The Australian Government could sponsor an Indian Ocean conference in Perth as a building block for Australian initiatives and for actions by the region as a whole.