Cocos Islands Indian v Australia, 1978

Background The Cocos (Keeling) Islands, located about one third of the way across the Indian ocean occupy an important strategic location allowing extension of regional force projection, surveillance and secure lines of communication. They are also located close to Indian ocean and south china sea shipping lanes. Its strategic importance is highlighted by the 2400 metre airfield that was constructed in WWII. In 1978, Due to the very poor treatment of the islanders and the feudal system of governance by the then owners, the Clunies- Ross family, the Australian government forced the islands owners, to sell the island to them using the threat of compulsory acquisition. This scenario explores what may have happened if the disgruntled Clunies - Ross family instead sold the island to India. Baggage, R., 1988 “Should Australia Plan to Defend Christmas and Cocos Island”, Canberra Papers on Strategy and Defence No. 45.