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Australia’s Engagement with Asia: Strategic or Transactional?

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  • Ramesh Thakur

    (Ramesh Thakur is Professor and Director at the Centre for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, ANU Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy, Hedley Bull Centre, Bldg 130, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia. ramesh.thakur@anu.edu.au)

Abstract

The ebb and flow of coping with Australia’s identity dilemma as a European settler society located on the geographical edge of Asia leads to bouts of agonising, excitement and temporising. This has been given particular cogency with the power shift underway from the trans-Atlantic to the Asia-Pacific. The 2012 White Paper set 25 national objectives to be met by 2025, with targets ranging from improving trade links and increasing scholarships to teaching priority Asian languages. But in this transactional embrace of Asia that highlights economic and trade links, gaps might open up between ambition and delivery, especially amidst continuing evidence of insensitivity to how Asians forge lasting relationships. Ties with China are dominated by trade but security concerns remain. Relations with India should improve with the removal of the nuclear issue as an irritant and growing trade and tourist numbers. Japan remains an important trade and diplomatic partner. And geography and demography ensure that Indonesia is no less important to Australia than Asia’s big three.

Suggested Citation

  • Ramesh Thakur, 2013. "Australia’s Engagement with Asia: Strategic or Transactional?," India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs, , vol. 69(4), pages 335-350, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:indqtr:v:69:y:2013:i:4:p:335-350
    DOI: 10.1177/0974928413503746
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. YOSHIHARA, Toshi, 2013. "China's Political Uses of Seapower," Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation, Working Paper Series qt6wj0p7vr, Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation, University of California.
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      Keywords

      Australia; Asia; China; India; Japan; Indonesia;
      All these keywords.

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