Investing in Indo-Pacific Architecture

By Dr Jeffrey Wilson

The Indo-Pacific is the most recent addition to the Asian regional architecture. Conceived as the conjunctions of Indian and Pacific oceans, the concept recognises the ways in which ‘Asia’ is extending westwards. But while the Indo-Pacific has a strong maritime security rationale, its economic logic remains under-developed. Trade and investment ties connecting its two halves are minimal, and there are few intergovernmental institutions dedicated to fostering economic integration. If the Indo-Pacific is to be a ‘complete’ region that addresses both economic and security concerns, governments now need to invest in creating an Indo-Pacific economic architecture.

This publication was prepared by Dr Jeffrey Wilson, Research Fellow at the Perth USAsia Centre.