Sydney, Aug. 14 -- Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned that China's expanding influence across the Indo-Pacific, particularly the Indian Ocean region, needs to be addressed early, cautioning that delaying strategic attention could make it too late to respond effectively.

Speaking online at the Indo-Mediterranean Dialogues on Thursday, Morrison said Australia's geography gives it a unique strategic perspective, with the country having major coastlines facing both the Indian and Pacific oceans.

"We have the longest stretch of coastline on the Indian Ocean of any country in the world. But equally so, we have a similar coastline that borders the Pacific. And our economic future lies in both oceans," he said.

Morrison...