"India and Australia: A Strategic Partnership in Ascendance - Shaping a Secure and Prosperous Indo-Pacific"
The recent interactions between Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Jaishankar and his Australian counterpart have been a testament to the growing strategic partnership between India and Australia. The relationship between the two countries has been evolving steadily, with a focus on strengthening their bilateral ties and cooperating on key regional and global issues.
One of the key takeaways from the recent discussions between the two leaders was the emphasis on their respective neighbourhoods and the Indo-Pacific region. The Indo-Pacific has emerged as a critical area of focus for both India and Australia, given its strategic location and the presence of several global powers. The region has seen a significant increase in economic and military activity, with several countries, including China, the United States, Japan, and India, playing important roles in shaping its dynamics.
India and Australia have a shared interest in maintaining stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Both countries have been actively engaged in promoting a rules-based order and a free and open seas. They have also been working to promote cooperation in areas such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, and non-proliferation.
During their discussions, the two leaders also touched upon the situation in West Asia and the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. The rapidly evolving global strategic scenario was also an important area of discussion. The Ukraine crisis has significant implications for the global order, and both India and Australia have been actively engaged in promoting a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
One of the key areas of cooperation between India and Australia is the Quad Security Dialogue. The Quad, which also includes Japan and the United States, has been a key platform for promoting cooperation and coordination on regional and global issues. The Quad has been actively engaged in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, with a focus on maritime security, counter-terrorism, and non-proliferation.
India and Australia have also been working to strengthen their economic ties, with a focus on promoting trade and investment. The two countries have been actively engaged in negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is expected to significantly increase bilateral trade and investment. The CEPA would also help to promote India's Act East Policy, which aims to strengthen economic and strategic ties with countries in Southeast Asia.
The India-Australia strategic partnership is not limited to the defence and economic spheres. The two countries have also been actively engaged in promoting cooperation in areas such as education, science and technology, and clean energy. India and Australia have a long history of cooperation in these areas, with several institutions and universities in Australia having partnerships with Indian institutions.
The India-Australia strategic partnership is also driven by the countries' shared values and democratic traditions. Both India and Australia are committed to promoting democracy, freedom, and rule of law, and they have been actively engaged in promoting these values in their respective neighbourhoods.
In conclusion, the strategic partnership between India and Australia is growing steadily, driven by the countries' shared interests and values. The partnership is expected to play a significant role in shaping the regional and global dynamics, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. With shared interests in promoting a rules-based order, maritime security, and economic cooperation, the India-Australia partnership is set to become an important force in the region.
Key Challenges Ahead
While the India-Australia strategic partnership is growing steadily, there are several challenges that need to be addressed by both countries. Some of the key challenges include:
- Differing perspectives on China: India and Australia have differing perspectives on China, which could affect their strategic partnership. India is keen to avoid provoking China, while Australia has been more vocal in its criticisms of China's human rights record and its assertive foreign policy.
- India's diplomatic footprint: India's diplomatic footprint in the Pacific and Southeast Asia is limited compared to other regional powers. India needs to increase its diplomatic presence in the region to effectively engage with countries in these regions.
- Limited economic ties: India and Australia's economic ties are limited compared to their strategic ties. Both countries need to promote greater economic cooperation and investment to deepen their partnership.
- Quad diplomacy: The Quad Security Dialogue has been an important platform for promoting cooperation between India, Australia, Japan, and the United States. However, there are differing perspectives within the Quad on regional and global issues, which need to be addressed.
Future Outlook
The India-Australia strategic partnership is expected to continue growing, driven by the countries' shared interests and values. The partnership is expected to play a significant role in shaping the regional and global dynamics, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
Some of the key areas that are expected to drive growth in the partnership include:
- Quad Security Dialogue: The Quad is expected to continue playing a key role in promoting cooperation and coordination between India, Australia, Japan, and the United States.
- Maritime security: India and Australia are expected to continue promoting cooperation in maritime security, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Economic cooperation: Both countries are expected to promote greater economic cooperation and investment, with a focus on promoting trade and investment between India and Australia.
- People-to-people ties: People-to-people ties between India and Australia are expected to grow, driven by the increasing number of Indian students in Australia and the growing number of Australian tourists in India.
In conclusion, the strategic partnership between India and Australia is a key development in regional and global affairs. With shared interests and values, the partnership is expected to continue growing, driven by the countries' commitment to promoting a rules-based order and cooperation in key areas such as maritime security and economic development.
