Our western front: Australia and the Indian Ocean

This report 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.

There are a number of policy recommendations.

Image: 'Indian Ocean from above', aperture7.1 / Flickr