In short :
India and Australia are enhancing their bilateral defence partnership in light of global geopolitical shifts, especially with the possible return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, raising doubts about continued American security guarantees.
Key Aspects of India-Australia Defence Cooperation :
Strategic Convergence:
- Australia’s Indo-Pacific location and India’s maritime focus complement each other
- Shared concerns over China’s assertiveness strengthen cooperation.
- Both countries emphasize regional resilience and sovereignty.
Institutional Framework:
- Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2020).
- 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue (since 2021).
- Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) for joint operations.
- Air-to-Air Refuelling Arrangement (2024) to enhance operational reach.
Joint Military Exercises:
- AUSTRAHIND (Army), AUSINDEX (Navy), and multilateral ones like Malabar and Pitch Black.
- Emphasis on inter-service coordination beyond navy-centric ties.
Five Focus Areas for Deeper Cooperation :
- Service-Wide Integration:
- Move beyond Navy-to-Navy comfort zones.
- Promote cross-service exercises and joint staff talks.
Stronger Defence Presence in Australia:
- Upgrade Indian Defence Adviser role in Canberra.
- Add Army and Air Force personnel for balanced engagement.
- Improve Pacific Island outreach capacity.
Operational Ground-Up Cooperation:
- Include uniformed professionals in dialogues.
- Encourage war-gaming, fellowships, and staff exchanges.
MRO & Maritime Collaboration:
- Explore Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul (MRO) of naval vessels.
- Joint manufacturing of patrol boats for island nations.
MSME & Startup Synergy:
- Build links between Indian and Australian MSMEs in defence-tech.
- Consider a joint innovation platform, similar to India–US INDUS-X.
Significance :
- India-Australia defence ties can stand on their own merit, not just as part of the Quad or American alignment.
- Strategic diversification helps build resilient regional security architecture.
- Reflects India’s growing emphasis on defence diplomacy and indigenisation.
| UPSC Relevance: GS2 – International Relations:Bilateral defence cooperation, Indo-Pacific strategies, India-Australia relations. GS3 – Security: Strategic partnerships, military reforms, and regional security frameworks. Mains Practice Question: “In a changing Indo-Pacific security landscape, how can India and Australia emerge as strategic anchors independent of American leadership?” Discuss with examples. |
