The Indo-Pacific - Australia's new region

[illusion8]

With the release of the Defence White Paper 2013 on 3 May, Australia officially has a new region, the ‘Indo-Pacific’: a strategic arc ‘connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans through Southeast Asia’.

Rory Medcalf views the Indo-Pacific as ‘a valid and objective description of the greater regional system in which Australia now finds itself’. In his book There Goes the Neighbourhood: Australia and the rise of Asia, Michael Wesley writes that the concept emerged due to the reality of growing economic and strategic links through Asia: what he terms the ‘Indo-Pacific power highway’.

the 2013 White Paper adopts the concept and ‘adjusts Australia’s priority strategic focus to the arc extending from India though Southeast Asia to Northeast Asia, including the sea lines of communication on which the region depends’. The White Paper sets ‘a Stable Indo-Pacific’ as one of Australia’s four key strategic interests, making the capacity to ‘contribute to military contingencies in the Indo-Pacific’ one of the Australian Defence Force’s four principal tasks.

Australia

The Indo-Pacific pivot - Indian Express
Australia's new defence policy recognises India's eastward orientation

The test will be whether Australia and India can turn their converging interests into naval exercises, technology partnerships and shared maritime surveillance.

A new plan for Australian defence policy has big implications for India. For New Delhi, the good news is that Canberra's 2013 Defence White Paper (WP), launched by Prime Minister Julia Gillard last week, sharply redefines Australia's region of strategic interest as being broadly the same as India's: the Indo-Pacific.

a new "Indo-Pacific strategic arc" is connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans through Southeast Asia. This new framework is forged by several factors: notably the massive growth in trade, energy and investment flows between East Asia and the Indian Ocean rim, and the rise of India as an important strategic, economic and diplomatic power beyond South Asia.

This declaration makes Australia the first country in the world officially to recognise its region as the Indo-Pacific rather than the Asia-Pacific. It will almost certainly not be the last. Indo-Pacific thinking is also gaining traction in Delhi, Washington, Tokyo and parts of Southeast Asia. The term has been used by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, notably, last December, when he moved to enhance India's relations with ASEAN. And it makes objective sense as a description of the commercial and security linkages that will determine whether the Asian century is marked by prosperity or conflict.

Australia is neither worried nor even ambivalent about India's growing naval weight. The paper emphasises that Canberra wants to work more closely with Delhi and the Indian navy to keep that order stable and peaceful.

The new policy confirms that Australia will also upgrade its airfield on Cocos Islands, some highly strategic territory in the Indian Ocean, for Australia's new fleet of P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft. In time, that runway could also be used by the Americans. And if Australia-India ties grow close enough, conceivably, it might even be visited by India's Poseidons too.

The Indo-Pacific pivot - Indian Express


The 2013 Defence White Paper, which defines the Australian government’s strategic military orientation, codifies its unconditional support for the Obama administration’s “pivot” to Asia.
http://www.sldinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/WP_2013_web.pdf
The document asserts that “the relationship between the United States and China will determine the outlook for our region”, over the coming decades, and foreshadows that Australia will serve as the military adjunct and physical base for US efforts to dominate the entire “Indo-Pacific”. It stresses the importance of collaboration with the US, as well as states such as India, in controlling the key maritime trade passages between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Australia - The new staging ground for the US's Asia pivot??
@Contrarian, @Dillinger, @Abingdonboy, @harpoon, @Koovie, @Mech, @Shinigami, @kaykay, @Azazel, @Blitzkrieg.

 

[Azazel]

A map of the region will do some good.

 

[illusion8]

No US military bases here, says Smith, but Washington confirms plan as part of Asia-Pacific pivot

DESPITE strong denials from Defence Minister Stephen Smith, a senior American official has confirmed that the US wants to establish a powerful military taskforce in Australia.

It emerged on Wednesday that a report being considered by a congressional committee in Washington suggests that a US Marine Corps "air ground taskforce" with its own military aircraft could be based in Australia.

The Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington was commissioned by the US Defence Department to advise on how Washington should handle its planned "pivot" back into the Asia-Pacific.

The centre's report raised the possibility of four marine taskforces being deployed in the region and suggested one of them could be based in Australia.

The report, titled US Force Posture Strategy in the Asia-Pacific Region: an Independent Assessment, also contained the option, made public in the US earlier this year, that a US aircraft carrier group and nuclear submarines could operate from HMAS Stirling south of Perth.

The US report said Fleet Base West would need to be expanded significantly and suggested that could cost somewhere between $1 billion and $6bn.

Mr Smith was quick to declare firmly that no US bases would be built in Australia and said there were no plans to base US military units in this country.

However, the minister did note his past announcements that increased visits by US aircraft to northern Australia and by US warships to HMAS Stirling were a possible further step in the future.

In reality, both the US and Australian governments have been at pains to avoid suggestions the Americans might set up bases in Australia. But there is little need for new bases when, over the past two years, teams of officials from both countries have been discussing agreements that would allow US forces to use existing Australian facilities.

The US report was considered overnight by the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, which is examining the Obama administration's plans to redistribute forces across the globe.

The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Plans, Robert M. Scher, told the committee the US would continue to build up Guam as a strategic hub in the Western Pacific, and would expand its efforts with allies and partners in the region.

"This includes necessary near-term investments to establish fully capable Marine Air-Ground taskforces in Japan, Guam, Australia and Hawaii, plans to deploy up to four littoral combat ships to Singapore and plans to increase the rotational deployment of US Air Force units in northern Australia," Mr Scher said.

Australia's own force posture review, released early this year, said: "Australia and the US will look in the future to greater US Navy access to HMAS Stirling."

The Australian review said the Defence Department should develop options to expand wharf capacity and support facilities at Fleet Base West, in part to allow major US surface combatants and aircraft carriers and submarines to use them on operations.

The US report comes as former senior Australian defence official Hugh White warns in a new book that the possibility of catastrophic war between China and the US is a clear and significant danger.

In The China Choice: Why America Should Share Power, Professor White argues that the US and China are sliding towards a dangerous rivalry "by default".

Professor White says Washington and Beijing are already taking the first steps towards a situation where concerns about status and security could become so intense they preclude co-operation in other areas.

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[Azazel]

There is a long history of linking Australian foreign policy to the term ‘Asia-Pacific’.The present change in the terminology to Indo Pacific is quite significant.This indicates a tectonic shift in the Australia's foreign policy.And I have to say it was a big surprise.This will mean Australia will need to invest time and effort in building Indo-Pacific institutions. These institutions include the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) and East Asia Summit(EAS).The EAS has been reported to be a key part of Australia’s foreign policy.This suggests that Australia’s multilateral focus is increasingly turning towards Indo-Pacific institutions.

 

[illusion8]

Australia has a key role in American pivot to Asia - Ch10 Breakfast 4/4/12 - YouTube

 

[Mech]

I don't really know what to make of this. I read a lot of Aussie defense analysis....and what I've consistently observed is that Aussie analysts alternates between outright paranoia and ambiguity when it comes to india.
I just don't know man. I hope its for the best...but considering the grand scheme of things, we shouldn't take it for face value.

 

[illusion8]

I don't really know what to make of this. I read a lot of Aussie defense analysis....and what I've consistently observed is that Aussie analysts alternates between outright paranoia and ambiguity when it comes to india.
I just don't know man. I hope its for the best...but considering the grand scheme of things, we shouldn't take it for face value.

Simple
The US and Australia have strategized till 2030,
compelled by the shifting momentum of power to Asia and the Asia Pacific region in the coming 2 decades with a bunch of emerging powers in this region, the US will use Australia as launching base for operations in this region coined Indo Pacific stretching from Indian Ocean, SCS till the pacific - countering China is a priority and both the Australian and the US studies look at a few regional powers to assist them.

 

[Mech]

Simple
The US and Australia have strategized till 2030,
compelled by the shifting momentum of power to Asia and the Asia Pacific region in the coming 2 decades with a bunch of emerging powers in this region, the US will use Australia as launching base for operations in this region coined Indo Pacific stretching from Indian Ocean, SCS till the pacific - countering China is a priority and both the Australian and the US studies look at a few regional powers to assist them.

You do realize, the term "countering" would include both India and China ?

 

[illusion8]

You do realize, the term "countering" would include both India and China ?

Of course - not only China and India (It's a potential threat not an existential or a likely threat) but other rising powers in the region.

 

[jhungary]

Maybe you lot read too much into it.

For Australia, Indo-Pacific is just that (Which is the continuous naval region or sector that joint South Pacific into Indian Ocean). Don't forget Australia is a big island which one side face the Pacific and the other face the Indian Ocean.

If you have to arrange everything so that Australia is merely a pawn to the US then nothing the Aussie do will make sense to you, as we ain't.

I can tell you this, we are part of south Indian Ocean entrant and if we are to boost the defence and make defence ties with such region bordering Indian Ocean, it will not be because we want to engage in those part of the land. To think Australia is to be used for US Asian Pivot plan is plainly and utterly stupid. Asia start a few hundred nautical mile NORTH OF AUSTRALIA, if the US want to start at US, they can't even glimpse the very edge of Asia.........

The only way our interest in our immediate North Coast make sense in India is when they want to come down south, not we go up north.

The WP we did is for us to secure OUR PART of Indian Ocean, which is almost all the Asylum boat coming from. Trust me, we care about those boat a lot more than we care about India or Asia.

 

[illusion8]

Maybe you lot read too much into it.

For Australia, Indo-Pacific is just that (Which is the continuous naval region or sector that joint South Pacific into Indian Ocean). Don't forget Australia is a big island which one side face the Pacific and the other face the Indian Ocean.

If you have to arrange everything so that Australia is merely a pawn to the US then nothing the Aussie do will make sense to you, as we ain't.

I can tell you this, we are part of south Indian Ocean entrant and if we are to boost the defence and make defence ties with such region bordering Indian Ocean, it will not be because we want to engage in those part of the land. To think Australia is to be used for US Asian Pivot plan is plainly and utterly stupid. Asia start a few hundred nautical mile NORTH OF AUSTRALIA, if the US want to start at US, they can't even glimpse the very edge of Asia.........

The only way our interest in our immediate North Coast make sense in India is when they want to come down south, not we go up north.

The WP we did is for us to secure OUR PART of Indian Ocean, which is almost all the Asylum boat coming from. Trust me, we care about those boat a lot more than we care about India or Asia.

Geo politics strategies are not layman analysis, everything's taken into consideration and strategies drawn accordingly. I suggest you read up on the full WP of 2009 and 2013 and draw up conclusions based on it. There are always grey areas and between the lines inferences that analysts and experts draw on.

US putting up bases in Australia and Australia building it's defense capabilities are meant for the asylum boats that carry illegal asylum seekers is too far fetched.

 

[xdrive]

The U.S isn't building any military bases in Australia.

 

[jhungary]

Geo politics strategies are not layman analysis, everything's taken into consideration and strategies drawn accordingly. I suggest you read up on the full WP of 2009 and 2013 and draw up conclusions based on it. There are always grey areas and between the lines inferences that analysts and experts draw on.

US putting up bases in Australia and Australia building it's defense capabilities are meant for the asylum boats that carry illegal asylum seekers is too far fetched.

look buddy, I don't really know where you are from, I lived in Sydney for more than a years now and I had live in this place for 3 before. Let me tell you this.

Australia is a big country, the fact that she does not have a big population does not mean that they do not deserve a good and steady defence force.

Now, I am not saying the whole AUS defend strategy is based on Asylum Seeker, I am just saying Australia care more about Boat people than Indian. Our national defence is based on we defend our land and OUR IMMEDIATE COASTAL REGION. Our land is Girth by sea, yet we only have 2 Major Naval Base in Australia. Which is fleet base East (HMAS Kuttabul) in Sydney and Fleet Base West (HMAS Stirling) in West Australia.

As Australia is an ISLAND, the main strategic depth is TO DEFEND THE SEA. Maybe you Indian do not know, we also bordered THE INDIAN OCEAN.

Traditionally we have been focus on the sea lane from Asia to South pacific because that was where the American ship coming from. Hence we do not have and did not invest in a open water navy.

We have the size of the whole US of A, yet we only have roughly 17 Naval bases vs 150+ in the US and the overall aim of Australian DEFENCE force are to defend our part of IOR. Not to cause trouble in IOR. Maybe some indian here have some sort of Ego and only think of themselves when the word "Indian Ocean" come to their mouth.

So what is so alarming that we focus on our Naval Defence on the West Coast of Australia? Instead of the East Coast? Or we need to ask India for permission to build up our force on the west coast of OUR COUNTRY??

I have read our defence paper many time, how about you? Did you have a catch up on Current affair in Australia? Or you are just egoistic as usual?

And finally, when and where US is building bases in Australia?? Can you point out to me a US permanent installation in a country I lived in where I don't know??

 

[jhungary]

The U.S isn't building any military bases in Australia.

A typical case of Indian going paranoid. Thinking whatever happening in Indian Ocean is their business while forgot about we too border the Indian Ocean, lol

 

[illusion8]

look buddy, I don't really know where you are from, I lived in Sydney for more than a years now and I had live in this place for 3 before. Let me tell you this.

Australia is a big country, the fact that she does not have a big population does not mean that they do not deserve a good and steady defence force.

Now, I am not saying the whole AUS defend strategy is based on Asylum Seeker, I am just saying Australia care more about Boat people than Indian. Our national defence is based on we defend our land and OUR IMMEDIATE COASTAL REGION. Our land is Girth by sea, yet we only have 2 Major Naval Base in Australia. Which is fleet base East (HMAS Kuttabul) in Sydney and Fleet Base West (HMAS Stirling) in West Australia.

As Australia is an ISLAND, the main strategic depth is TO DEFEND THE SEA. Maybe you Indian do not know, we also bordered THE INDIAN OCEAN.

Traditionally we have been focus on the sea lane from Asia to South pacific because that was where the American ship coming from. Hence we do not have and did not invest in a open water navy.

We have the size of the whole US of A, yet we only have roughly 17 Naval bases vs 150+ in the US and the overall aim of Australian DEFENCE force are to defend our part of IOR. Not to cause trouble in IOR. Maybe some indian here have some sort of Ego and only think of themselves when the word "Indian Ocean" come to their mouth.

So what is so alarming that we focus on our Naval Defence on the West Coast of Australia? Instead of the East Coast? Or we need to ask India for permission to build up our force on the west coast of OUR COUNTRY??

I have read our defence paper many time, how about you? Did you have a catch up on Current affair in Australia? Or you are just egoistic as usual?

And finally, when and where US is building bases in Australia?? Can you point out to me a US permanent installation in a country I lived in where I don't know??

A typical case of Indian going paranoid. Thinking whatever happening in Indian Ocean is their business while forgot about we too border the Indian Ocean, lol

As I said, long term and short term strategies aren't drawn by people on the street and neither is it influenced by what an average citizen thinks of of any country or region or sea.

The WP here or the analyses has not much to do with India - its more to do with Australia balancing itself between the US and China and on the side looking at other emerging powers in the region like India, Indonesia etc. So don't think that Indian experts are worried about of a threat from Australia - India doesn't consider Australia a threat - neither does Australia consider India a threat, in fact by what's transpiring between India and Australia, both are on the same page with regards to the regions and maritime security, and India openly welcomes increased Australian interest in the ocean - ever heard of the EAS group or the Indian Ocean rim countries group that Australia would chair next?

So it doesn't directly have anything to do with our concerns or our ego - get that out of your head.

I never said the US is building bases in Australia - point that out to me - I am the messenger here and it's Australian media that's reporting increased US forces positioning in Australia now and in the future - check the youtube video I posted on this thread for reference.

Finally, there's nothing alarming for India - in fact India welcomes it.