Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said India’s role in the Indo-Pacific is paramount for maintaining a free and open region [1].
This strategic alignment suggests a deepening commitment between the two nations to counter regional instability and diversify supply chains. By highlighting India as a pivotal force, Morrison underscores the necessity of a multilateral approach to security in the Asia-Pacific corridor.
Speaking from Sydney in an interview with NDTV, Morrison said the Indo-Pacific is the absolute centre of the world [2]. He said the partnership between Australia and India is key to a free and open Indo-Pacific [3].
Morrison said there is a need for deeper cooperation across several sectors, including trade, security, energy, and critical minerals [1]. This cooperation is intended to strengthen supply-chain resilience, reducing dependency on single-source providers for essential materials, a priority for both governments in recent years.
He also said the Quad, the diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S., is strategically important [1]. The framework is designed to ensure that the region remains governed by international law rather than unilateral coercion.
According to reports from ANI, the interview took place on June 15, 2023 [2]. Morrison said the bilateral ties between the two countries hold a key role as the Indo-Pacific takes center stage in global geopolitics [2].
“"India's role in the Indo‑Pacific is paramount."”
The emphasis on critical minerals and supply-chain resilience reflects a broader shift in Indo-Pacific strategy to decrease economic reliance on China. By positioning India as a paramount partner, Australia seeks to build a security architecture that balances power in the region through the Quad and bilateral trade agreements.
