Overview:

This panel looks at three members of the Quad and examines their approaches toward the Indo-Pacific, both as a framework for understanding the region and as a strategy for managing the risks inherent in China's rise. Japan's role in constructing and developing the Indo-Pacific concept is examined by Dr Hemmings, and its implications for its wider grand strategy. Dr. Al Oehlers looks at how Australia further developed the concept in its strategy for the region, propelling it into the mainstream. Finally, Dr Sitaraman examines India's role in shaping the concept and its privileged position inherent in the new framing. How does India's rise impact regional dynamics? Lastly, the Panel will examine the impact of the emerging AUKUS defense collaboration. Is the AUKUS just a nuclear submarine deal or is it something more?

Objectives: 

• Examine Australia, India and & Japan’s strategic approaches to the Indo-Pacific and their practices of diplomacy, development, and defense to advance their security objectives.
• Examine trends, opportunities, & challenges in advancing partners’ strategic approaches to the Indo-Pacific.

Speakers' Bio:

Dr. Alfred Oehlers is a specialist in the political economy of economic growth and development, with reference to the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. His teaching has ranged widely during his career, spanning courses as diverse as international business, economics, politics, public policy, international relations, Asian studies, history, and other social sciences. He has taught at Massey University in New Zealand, Macquarie University, the University of Sydney in Australia, and the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Helsinki, Finland.

Email: oehlersa@apcss.org
Dr. Al Oehlers' Bio

Dr. Srini Sitaraman's focus is on the Indo-Pacific Security with a particular focus on South Asia, Regional Conflict, and India-China Relations. He is also interested in New Technologies & International Security, Internet and Digital Diplomacy, Nonproliferation, and the United Nations and International Law.

Email: sitaramans@apcss.org
Dr. Srini Sitaraman's Bio

Dr. John Hemmings' areas of focus at DKI APCSS are Northeast Asian security, Japanese defence policy, the Indo-Pacific concept, alliance theory, and US alliances. He takes a special interest in 5G and national security. He was the founding Director of the Asia Studies Centre and Deputy Research Director at the Henry Jackson Society, a trans-Atlantic think tank in London.  While he was at the Henry Jackson Society, Dr. Hemmings co-authored a study on Huawei, 5G and the Five Eyes, multiple studies on the Indo-Pacific, and coordinate a project on diplomacy on the Korean peninsula.
 
Email: hemmingsj@apcss.org
Dr. John Hemmings' Bio

Resources:

• Oriana Skylar Mastro and Zack Cooper, “In defence of AUKUS,” Lowy Institute, The Interperter, 5th October 2021
• C. Raja Mohan, “AUKUS, the Quad, and India’s Strategic Pivot,” Foreign Policy, 23rd September 2021
• AUKUS and the Quad: Shifting Power Play in the Indo-Pacific, Observer Research Foundation (ORF), 30th September 2021
• Prime Minister Scott Morrison, “A World Order that Favours Freedom”, address to the Perth USASIA Center, 9 June 2021
• Jane Hardy, "Australia's Role in the Indo-Pacific," Indo-Pacific Defense Forum, November 11, 2019
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia, "2017 Foreign Policy White Paper," Canberra: DFAT, 2017, (see "Overview" pp.1-8)
• Hiroyuki Suzuki, “Japan’s Role in a Multipolar Indo-Pacific", CSIS Commentary, 23 October, 2020
• Department of Defence, Australia, "2020 Defence Strategic Update", Canberra: MoD, 2020, (see "Executive Summary" pp.5-7, and "Chapter 1: Australia's changing strategic environment" pp.11-17)