The relations between India and
Australia are embedded in history. As part of the British, the Armies of both
countries shared the trenches as part of World War-I in Gallipoli and along the
Western Front; since then, India and Australia have maintained positive
relations. In 2006 Memorandum on Defence Cooperation was signed between the
two, and in 2009 a joint declaration on Security Cooperation reinforced ties
further. In 2014, with the signing of an agreement on a bilateral Framework for
Security Cooperation, the defence relationship grew to embrace a range of
strategic dialogue and regular interactions between the Armed Forces of the two
countries through senior officials’ visits and staff talks and training
exchanges.[i]
On 4 Jun 2020, India and Australia
upgraded their strategic partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
based on a shared perception, trust, mutual interests, common values of
democracy and the rule of law. The pillars of the deep
cooperation involved maritime ties for an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific,
defence cooperation, and a promise to inspire peace, security, steadiness and
prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.[ii]
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Defence of Australia, Richard Marles, visited India from June 20-23, 2022.
The visit was the first high-level visit to New Delhi after Anthony Albanese
took over as the Prime Minister of Australia on 23 May 2022. An early bilateral
visit by Defence Minister Marles was a clear sign that defence and security
cooperation are the key focus areas of the overall Comprehensive Strategic
Partnership (CSP). He said that Australia is steadfast in firming up its
defence and security collaboration with India and is ready to work closely with
India to support an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific region.[iii]
Hon’ble Prime Minister of Australia,
Anthony Albanese, visited India from 8 to 11 Mar 2023. Both Prime Ministers
appreciated the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’s enduring
pillars (defence & security). Considering the uncertain global security
environment, they pledged to strengthen these relations further to address
common challenges and work towards an open, inclusive, stable and prosperous
Indo-Pacific.
Both agreed that they must continue
to explore carrying out aircraft dispositions from each other’s territories to
shape operational familiarity and enhance maritime domain awareness in future.
Australia would host Exercise MALABAR
in 2023 for the first time; India appreciated this move and said it would
further reinforce interoperability between participating navies. They also
underscored the benefit of regular exchanges between defence forces to increase
interoperability. They welcomed the beginning of the opening breakthrough
General Rawat India-Australia Young Officer Defence Exchange Programme from 1
Mar 2023. The 15-day programme, with the participation of 15 young officers, is
currently underway in India, and Australia will follow such interaction in
2024.
They strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and
emphasised the need for global collaboration to counter terrorism
comprehensively and sustainably. They urged to slam those who inspire, support and
finance terrorism. They appealed to all countries to try to root out terrorist
safe harbours, disrupt terrorist networks and their financing channels, and
stop using terrorist proxies and the cross-border drive of terrorists.[iv]
The India-Australia defence
relationship now encompasses almost every major function of the military
sphere: strategic dialogues, coordination, and information exchanges; military
exercises involving ground, air and maritime forces; exchanges and training;
and defence scientific and technological cooperation.
Security
Issues and Strategic Challenges for India and Australia. As the centre of world economic
activities shifts to Asia. India and Australia face three main challenges;
terrorism, China’s expansionism and revisionism and connection and coordination
among the countries of the Indo-Pacific region.[v]
The two countries now share many security concerns, including the growing
impact of China on the strategic environment. Australia has recognised India as
an important new strategic partner. India, too is beginning to see Australia as
one of several new security partners in the Indo-Pacific. But despite all
these, India and Australia face various defence and security challenges,
individually and in partnership. Some of the critical difficulties could be
summarised as under:
1. Terrorism: India and Australia have
experienced terrorist attacks and face ongoing threats from terrorist groups.
The two countries have been working together to strengthen cooperation in
counter-terrorism efforts, including sharing intelligence and information.
2. Cybersecurity: With the increasing
use of technology in all aspects of life, India and Australia face growing
cyber-attack threats. The two countries have been working to strengthen their
cybersecurity capabilities and cooperation, including through joint exercises
and information sharing.
3. Maritime security: As both India and
Australia are maritime nations, they face various security challenges in the
Indian-Pacific region and beyond. These include piracy, illegal fishing, drug
trafficking, smuggling, etc. The two countries have been working to enhance
their maritime security cooperation through joint patrols and exercises.
4. Border security: India and Australia
share borders with countries facing instability and conflict, leading to
challenges regarding illegal immigration, smuggling, and terrorism. The two
countries have been working to enhance their border security cooperation
through joint training and intelligence sharing.
5. Regional security: India and Australia
are key players in the Asia-Pacific region and face security challenges related
to regional geopolitics, including China’s growing assertiveness and North
Korea’s nuclear program. The two countries have been working to strengthen
their strategic partnership and coordinate their responses to regional security
challenges.
6. Defence modernisation: India and
Australia are modernising their defence forces to meet the evolving security
challenges of the 21st century. The two countries have been exploring opportunities
for collaboration in defence technology and equipment, including joint research
and development and joint production of defence equipment.
India and Australia face various
defence and security challenges, but they also have significant opportunities
for cooperation and partnership to address these challenges. Strengthening
their strategic partnership and enhancing their cooperation in defence and
security will be critical for promoting regional stability and security in the
Asia-Pacific region.
Way
forward for India and Australia. India and Australia have made significant strides in their
defence and security cooperation in recent years, and there are several ways
that they can continue to deepen their partnership in the future also. Here are
some potential areas of focus:
1. Maritime security: India and
Australia have significant coastlines and are interested in ensuring maritime
security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region. The two
countries have conducted joint naval exercises and can continue to enhance
their cooperation in this area.
2. Counter-terrorism: India and
Australia have both faced significant threats from terrorism in the past, and
there is potential for increased cooperation in the areas of intelligence
sharing, law enforcement, and counter-terrorism operations.
3. Cybersecurity: As both countries
continue developing their digital infrastructure, they must work together to
address the growing cyber-attack threat. This could include sharing information
on threats and vulnerabilities and developing joint strategies for defence.
4. Defence technology: India and
Australia have invested heavily in defence technology and have significant
capabilities in missile defence, unmanned systems, and space technology. There
is potential for increased collaboration in research and development, joint
production, and technology transfer.
5. Regional stability: India and
Australia share a common interest in maintaining regional peace and promoting
economic growth in the Indo-Pacific region. The two countries can work together
to address common challenges, such as China’s assertiveness in the South China
Sea and the threat of North Korea’s nuclear program.
Conclusion: India and Australia have a strong
foundation for defence and security cooperation, and there is significant
potential for further collaboration. Continued engagement at the highest levels
of government and military leadership and increased people-to-people ties can
help deepen the partnership and enhance mutual trust and understanding.
The positive developments in
bilateral relations between India and Australia in recent years have shown that
there are now multiple alignments in their strategic interests, as compared to
the past. Both countries appear ready to actively restructure the regional balance
of power for a stable multipolar and
rebalanced order with space for plurilateral. The defence and security
ties are progressing; there is much potential for the two countries. The are
also willing to explore the prospect of defence-industrial collaboration
further as they move forward.
Amidst the current geopolitical
scenarios, both countries with a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific region,
growing trade, closer security and defence cooperation and engagement with
like-minded regional players will play a substantial role in defining the
regional balance of power, reinforced by mutual respect, prosperity and
stability.
India and Australia desire an
Indo-Pacific region that is peaceful, prosperous, and where sovereignty is
respected. Both
countries have reiterated their perseverance in following converging strategic
objectives in the Indo-Pacific region by enduring collaboration on defence and
security.
End Notes
[i] Australian High Commission - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, https://india.highcommission.gov.au/
[ii] India and Australia: Partners for Indo-Pacific Security and Stability https://www.delhipolicygroup.org/publication/policy-briefs/india-and-australia-partners-for-indo-pacific-security-and-stability.html
[iv] Joint Statement - 1st Australia-India Annual Summit
https://www.pm.gov.au/media/joint-statement-1st-australia-india-annual-summit Accessed on 21 Mar 2023
[v] Delhi Policy Group https://www.delhipolicygroup.org/
Accessed
on 22 Mar 2023
Col B S Nagial (Retd.)
Uploaded on : 29-03-2023
Disclaimer : The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the organisation that he/she belongs to or of the USI of India.