USSC Non-Resident Senior Fellow Professor Ben Reilly is co-author with USSC Non-resident Fellow Alice Nason and former Research Intern Lily Manning on this article published by the Journal of the Indian Ocean Region.

Abstract

In recent years, European interest in the Indo-Pacific has surged, including a desire to contribute to Indian Ocean security. However, resources to commit outside their neighborhood, especially against the backdrop of an ongoing conflict on the European continent, has not grown proportionately, leaving such strategic ambitions unfulfilled. This paper argues that Australia can creatively leverage the expertise, reputation and limited available resources of its European partners to maximize collective impact in the Indian Ocean. Stakeholder interviews and case study analysis of French, British, and EU approaches to Indian Ocean security suggest a rationale for partnership with Australia on tangible initiatives. In particular, non-traditional security is the approach most consistent with available resources, India's comfort level, and the demands of smaller Indian Ocean states.