Australia’s Indian Ocean moment

Alexander Lee argues that Australia, despite possessing the largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Indian Ocean, has historically neglected its western maritime frontier. Recent conflicts near the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea demonstrate that the Northern Indian Ocean is a single strategic theatre, with disruptions quickly reaching Australia. The article proposes three practical, low-cost steps: formally extending Defence's international engagement to include Northwestern Indian Ocean states (e.g., UAE, Maldives, Mauritius); updating strategic guidance documents to reflect this reality; and leveraging existing assets like the Indo-Pacific Endeavour exercises to institutionalize partnerships. Lee emphasizes shared interests in freedom of navigation, maritime security, disaster relief, and cyber resilience, while noting the Indian Ocean Rim Association's (IORA) structural weaknesses.