Foreign policy experts have questioned French President Emmanuel Macron's drive for an Australia-France-India "strategic axis" for the Indo-Pacific, with doubts France's interest can be sustained given the Pacific is a long way from Paris, reports the Australian Financial Review.
During his visit to Sydney this week, Mr Macron warned one nation could not be allowed to dominate the region and the international rules-based order had to be preserved, committing France to playing a greater role in recognition it remains a major player in both oceans through its territories.
While Mr Macron said he was not opposed to China's rise, it was vital to have "balances" in the region, proposing a strategic partnership between Australia, France and India.
Australian National University professor of international security and intelligence studies John Blaxland said Mr Macron's motivations had more to do with French politics.
"It seems like one of those ideas that sound great on paper but is not going to amount to much," he said.
"Macron has the desire to firm up the hold on the Pacific and Indian oceans territories and looking to bolster his grip by enlisting the support of the major adjacent allies, India in the Indian Ocean and Australia in the Pacific."
Professor Blaxland said France would be an attractive partner for India because of the advanced military technology it possesses but Australia not so much.
Read more of this report from the Australian Financial Review.