London [UK], December 1: The Australian and Indian High Commissions to the United Kingdom (UK) joined hands to co-host the inaugural Indo-Pacific Conference in London. The conference aimed to explore practical ideas to strengthen Indo-Pacific resilience and enhance strategic stability in the region. The event brought together leading experts from Australia, India, and the UK to address regional security threats.
Australian High Commissioner to the UK, Stephen Smith, highlighted the increasing focus on the Indo-Pacific region, stating that the conference provided an important opportunity to examine the evolving strategic environment in and beyond the Indo-Pacific. Smith also emphasized the importance of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in cultivating relationships with Indian Ocean Island states.
The conference, hosted by India House, Australia House, King’s College, and the Council on Geostrategy (UK), aimed to foster deeper cooperation and collaboration for a more secure, resilient, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Vikram Doraiswami, Indian High Commissioner to the UK, emphasized the commitment of India and Australia in promoting a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific. He also welcomed the increased interest and participation of the UK, as part of its Global Britain policy, in supporting this objective.
The discussions at the conference revolved around various themes, including Indo-Pacific connectivity, regional resilience, strategic stability, maritime security, and cooperation on critical and advanced technologies. Prof Alessio Patalano from King’s College London stated that the initiative provided an opportune moment to enhance shared capacity and synergies between Australia and India in supporting international order development.
James Rogers, Director of Research at the Council on Geostrategy, highlighted the need for collaboration among allies and partners to secure a free and open Indo-Pacific in the face of growing geopolitical competition. The role of technology in geopolitics was also a significant topic, with panelists discussing the impact of technology on modern-day conflicts.
The conference featured distinguished speakers from academia, civil society, business, government, and the diplomatic community, including Sir Simon Gass from the Centre for Grand Strategy at King’s College London, Professor Harsh V Pant from King’s India Institute, and Sophia Gaston, Head of Foreign Policy and UK Resilience at Policy Exchange.
In conclusion, the Indo-Pacific Conference in London brought together experts from Australia, India, and the UK to explore strategies for strengthening regional resilience and strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific. The collaborative efforts aim to foster cooperation on various fronts, including maritime security, technology, and connectivity, with a focus on creating a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region.
