Europe's Indo-Pacific future goes deeper than French subs

The AUKUS defence and security pact among Australia, the United Kingdom and United States has clearly sunk French, and associated European Union, sentiment towards Indo-Pacific integration. Resurfacing relations won't be easy, but it should be prioritised to help deliver the optimal 21st-century strategic environment for all concerned. The arrangement has already produced considerable symbolic fallout. Most notable was France's decision to recall its Australian and US ambassadors in response to the AUKUS announcement of a nuclear-powered submarine program that spelled the end of French shipbuilder Naval Group's multibillion-dollar contract with Australia. There are signs that this could lead to tangible…