New Delhi, July 11 -- The India-Australia developments around Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI) form part of a wider strategic rebalancing, not as an isolated island story. From a remote island outpost; CKI is becoming a dual-use strategic node, extending India-Australia reach across the eastern Indian Ocean. That matters because maritime power is shaped more by access, visibility and persistence, less by dramatic declarations.

CKI sits near the Sunda and Lombok sea lanes-routes for maritime traffic and submarines between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. For India, this adds a southern layer to its maritime awareness architecture presently anchored in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. For Australia, it strengthens a forward position ...