Lining up allies in the Indo-Pacific region

Historic moment: The four-day Russia-Asean naval exercise put an emphasis on aspects of search and rescue and open sea encounters.

AFTER years of being talked up, the Indo-Pacific has really become the new central theatre for global geopolitics.

It has been buzzing with activity last week among regional players and even powers from further afield, who indulge in both collaborative and adversarial pursuits.