This book examines Australia's strategic attitude towards the Indian Ocean islands below the equator. Australian strategic theory, policy and practice have to date understandably prioritised China, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The Indian Ocean islands filling Australia’s western flank are now changing and growing rapidly, however, with a series of new strategic challenges that pose difficulties unaddressed by Canberra’s current strategic settings. The book sees the disconnection as derived from Australia’s history and explores how Australia found itself without influence in the Indian Ocean islands and what strategic and security hazards lie in continued indifference. Drawing on an empirical analysis of island historical and anthropological sources, archival and business investment materials, interviews and strategic pieces, the book traces a long continuation of Australian behaviours towards the region and local postcolonial imperatives. It also discusses Indo-Pacific theory and the Indian Ocean gaps peppered within it. The book will be useful to academics, researchers and advanced students in the fields of security and strategic studies and international relations, especially those with an interest in Australian history and foreign policy, the growing strategic competition in the Indian Ocean, AUKUS and the QUAD.
