Scott Morrison Predicts India's Rise as Space and Strategic Powerhouse

Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison characterized India as the defining factor in the success of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) during the Indo-Mediterranean Dialogues. Morrison described India as an indispensable anchor for the strategic balance of the Indo-Pacific and urged the Quad to expand its agenda to include the western theatre of the region while balancing security, economics, and humanitarian issues.

Morrison also predicted that India will become a space powerhouse over the next 20 to 30 years, citing its industrial capabilities and technological base. He suggested that India is well-positioned to attract international capital as companies reduce their exposure to China.

This strategic alignment is supported by recent diplomatic and technical cooperation. In July, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to establish a temporary space tracking terminal on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands to support India's Gaganyaan Human Space Flight Programme. Additionally, Quad Foreign Ministers recently met in Manila, Philippines, where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi issued a joint declaration reaffirming their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and ASEAN unity.