PMs Modi-Albanese wants to increase complexity of defence exercises
Prime Ministers of India and Australia have reaffirmed the vitality of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), established in 2020, and noted the progress since its launch as it has accelerated economic ties between the two countries, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement on 9 July.
“We note our close engagement, both bilaterally and multilaterally, including with other partners through regional forums such as the Quad and other multilateral institutions, benefits both nations, and contributes to the security and prosperity of our shared region, drawn together by our ever closer bilateral ties, united in our determination to strengthen our nations’ strategic partnership and motivated by a common ambition for an open, peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, hereby commit to this Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, said PMs Narendra Modi and Anthony Albanese.
The leaders also reflected on the great strides in our partnership fostered by the India-Australia Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation of 2009. “We appreciate the enriching contributions to the partnership through various bilateral mechanisms including the Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue (FMFD), the 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue and the Defence Ministers’ Dialogue,” they said in a joint statement.
Prime Minister Modi visited Australia 8-10 July.
The leaders reaffirmed support for the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), ASEAN and ASEAN-centred regional architecture, and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) as the premier forums for addressing challenges in these regions.
“We recognise that our partnership must evolve to meet changing strategic circumstances, and commit to an acceleration in our advanced, integrated, and top-tier defence and security partnership. We will continue to strengthen strategic exchanges and conduct regular ministerial engagement that reflects the convergence of our strategic interests. We recognise a long-term vision of defence and security collaboration to enhance collective strength. This collaboration will contribute to both countries’ security and make an important contribution to regional peace and security,” they said.
Both leaders committed to strengthening our comprehensive defence cooperation, deepening strategic dialogue and intensifying cooperation, including by:
a. undertaking to consult on defence-related developments in the Indo-Pacific that affect shared interests;
b. increasing the complexity of our defence exercises, including with partners;
c. accelerating efforts to build interoperability and information sharing between defence forces;
d. expanding aircraft deployments from each other’s territories;
e. deepening connections between defence force personnel, including through exchanges, education and training, and liaison roles; and
f. exploring opportunities to cooperate in recruiting for skilled defence workforces.
PMs Modi and Albanese recognised the centrality of the maritime domain to our defence, security and economic interests, and will increase the depth, sophistication and regularity of maritime security cooperation. “We will strengthen maritime cooperation through a India-Australia Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap.”
They agreed to embrace the growing potential of defence industries on both sides through encouraging integration, industry engagement, and building supply chain resilience. “We will deepen collaboration between our defence innovation ecosystems and develop arrangements for advanced defence science and technology collaboration.”
Both the Prime Ministers committed to cooperating bilaterally, and with partners, to support regional economic prosperity and resilience. “We will develop more diverse and resilient supply chains, critical infrastructure and connectivity, including for critical minerals and clean energy technologies.”
They have agreed to l work together to help shape a technology environment that meets our shared vision for a secure and resilient Indo-Pacific. The leaders want to harness the potential of our cyber security and critical and emerging technology cooperation and information sharing mechanisms under the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (Australia-India PACTS), and bolster cooperation on strategic technologies.
They have committed to increase information sharing on terrorist threats in our region, including entities and individuals, and explore opportunities for enhanced collaboration to counter violent extremism and terrorism in sectors, including in:
a. new and emerging technology;
b. financing of terrorism;
c. critical infrastructure and crowded spaces;
d. the maritime domain; and
e. online radicalisation.
Both the leaders agreed to continue our cooperation under the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement, signed in 2023, which outlines ways to cooperate on the prevention of irregular migration, people smuggling, and trafficking in human beings. “We will also continue our cooperation to combat transnational organised crime.”
“In the spirit of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, we commit fully to implementing this ambitious agenda to support a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region,” the two Prime Ministers said in the joint statement. Fiinews.com
