India, Australia Pledge to Deepen Defence, Security Cooperation
Melbourne, July 9 (TNT): India and Australia on Thursday committed to significantly strengthening their defence and security partnership, unveiling a joint declaration aimed at enhancing military cooperation, maritime security, defence industry collaboration and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Issued following the Annual Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the declaration reaffirmed the two countries’ commitment to their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and a shared vision of a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
The two leaders expressed concern over the evolving geopolitical situation and called for the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, without the threat or use of force or coercion.
Reaffirming support for a rules-based international order, both countries underscored the importance of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, freedom of navigation and overflight under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and strengthening regional institutions, including ASEAN, the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
The two sides agreed to accelerate defence cooperation by expanding strategic consultations, increasing the complexity of joint military exercises, improving interoperability between their armed forces, enhancing information sharing and expanding aircraft deployments from each other’s territories.
The declaration also envisages greater exchanges of defence personnel through training, education and liaison roles, while exploring cooperation in developing skilled defence workforces.
Recognising the strategic importance of the maritime domain, India and Australia agreed to deepen maritime cooperation through a dedicated India-Australia Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap.
The two countries also committed to strengthening defence industrial cooperation by promoting industry partnerships, enhancing supply chain resilience and expanding collaboration in defence innovation, science and technology.
On counter-terrorism, the two sides agreed to intensify intelligence sharing on terrorist threats, extremist entities and individuals, while enhancing cooperation to combat terrorism, terror financing, online radicalisation, threats to critical infrastructure and maritime security.
The declaration also calls for closer cooperation in cyber security, critical and emerging technologies under the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS), alongside efforts to develop resilient supply chains, particularly in critical minerals and clean energy technologies.
India and Australia further agreed to strengthen cooperation in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) through greater information sharing, expert exchanges and joint exercises, including participation in the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network to improve disaster response capabilities.
The two countries also agreed to continue cooperation under the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement, combat transnational organised crime and support global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament efforts.
Reaffirming their commitment to regional cooperation, India and Australia said they would continue working closely with partners, including the United States and Japan, to advance a stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
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