India and Australia Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Growing Chinese Military Presence

Time Stamp: March 12, 2023 5:35 AM
Source Node: 2513183

In recent years, India and Australia have been strengthening their defence cooperation in the face of a growing Chinese military presence in the Indo-Pacific region. This partnership is seen as a way to ensure regional stability and security, as well as to promote economic development.

India and Australia have a long history of cooperation in the defence sector, with both countries having signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation in 2006. This MoU was further strengthened in 2014 with the signing of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between the two countries. Under this agreement, both countries have committed to deepening their defence ties, including through joint exercises, exchanges of personnel, and the sharing of intelligence and technology.

The increasing Chinese military presence in the Indo-Pacific region has been a major factor in the strengthening of India and Australia’s defence cooperation. China has been expanding its military capabilities in the region, including through the construction of artificial islands, the deployment of submarines and warships, and the establishment of military bases in the South China Sea. This has raised concerns among other countries in the region, including India and Australia, who are now looking to cooperate more closely to counter any potential threats from China.

In recent years, India and Australia have conducted several joint military exercises, including the AUSINDEX naval exercise in 2015 and the AUSINDEX-18 exercise in 2018. These exercises have helped to strengthen ties between the two countries and have also provided an opportunity for them to develop their capabilities in areas such as maritime security, anti-submarine warfare, and amphibious operations.

The two countries have also been working together to promote regional economic development. In 2017, they signed an agreement to establish a Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment, which aims to promote economic cooperation between the two countries. This agreement is seen as an important step towards further strengthening their defence ties.

India and Australia’s defence cooperation is an important part of their overall relationship and is seen as a way to ensure regional stability and security. The increasing Chinese military presence in the Indo-Pacific region has been a major factor in the strengthening of this partnership, with both countries now looking to cooperate more closely to counter any potential threats from China. Through joint exercises, exchanges of personnel, and the sharing of intelligence and technology, India and Australia are working together to ensure that their defence ties remain strong.