The Rise Of The ‘Indo-Pacific’ In Australian Grand Strategic Discourse

By Daniel Baldino and Alan Bloomfield

Australia has enthusiastically embraced the “Indo-Pacific” as a way of defining its region. It has done so to: raise Australia’s profile; improve ties with India and Indonesia; to promote inclusivity, especially vis-à-vis China; and to facilitate balancing against China if Beijing becomes more assertive. Recent trends suggest Beijing really is set on dominating the region, and America’s credibility as an ally has diminished somewhat too. Accordingly, we explore coalition-building options with like-minded regional partners – “minilateralism” – designed to signal resolve to Beijing and form the basis of future “hard-balancing” policies if necessary.