India in Australia’s Strategic Framing in the Indo–Pacific

Ramesh Thakur

Ramesh Thakur is the Director of the Centre for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament, and Professor of International Relations at the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy, Australian National University. read more

Ashok Sharma

Dr Ashok Sharma is Adjunct faculty at The Australian Defence Force Academy, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of New South Wales, Canberra. read more

The world is witnessing a geopolitical shift from the North Atlantic to the Indo–Pacific region. US power is in relative decline with a steady build-up of Chinese power, wealth and influence. The last 15–20 years have also seen the rise of India. Against this backdrop, Australia’s reconceptualisation of its strategic frame as the Indo–Pacific widens its geopolitical canvas and elevates India’s importance for multiple Australian interests and objectives. We analyse India’s growing role, with the potential to change the geopolitical map of the Indo–Pacific, in four plots significant to Australia’s future in a multiplex regional order.