At the 2+2 ministerial meeting, India and Australia underscored the importance of a maritime rules-based international order and condemned any attempts to change the status quo unilaterally, a possible reference to China's activities in the region.
Both sides also discussed geopolitical developments during the meeting, including those in the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, Myanmar and Ukraine.
Indo-Pacific, South China Sea
The Indian and Australian Defence and Foreign ministers reaffirmed their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity in the Indo-Pacific.
They underlined the importance of exercising rights and freedoms in all seas and oceans consistent with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Australia-India joint statement after the 2+2 meeting is predictably long, especially on security, but the "Building institutional chemistry" section stood out for me. More dialogue happening soon, which is good. https://t.co/t6soEvYnoF
— Ian Hall (@DrIanHall) November 22, 2023
This includes “freedom of navigation and overflight in addressing challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including those in the East and South China Seas.”
The joint statement related to the meeting said the ministers “called for any Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to be effective, substantive and fully consistent with international law.”
Additionally, India and Australia also “expressed serious concern about the militarisation of disputed features, the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels and efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore exploitation activities.”
Condemn Hamas Attack, Call for Protection of Civilians
Noting horrific terrorist attacks against Israel on 7 October 2023, both sides “reaffirmed that they stand with Israel against terrorism and called for adherence to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.”
India and Australia called for the immediate release of all remaining hostages while committing to continue coordinating with partners in the region on humanitarian assistance to meet the urgent needs of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
Additionally, they expressed support for humanitarian pauses in Gaza.
Furthermore, the two countries committed to continue close diplomatic coordination with key regional partners to prevent the conflict from spreading, preserve stability in the Middle East, and work toward a political solution and durable peace.
Call for End of Violence in Myanmar
The two sides expressed concerns about the deteriorating situation in Myanmar and its impacts on regional security and stability.
They called for an “immediate cessation of violence, the release of all those arbitrarily detained, safe access to humanitarian assistance, resolution of the crisis through dialogue and a transition towards federal democracy.”
They reaffirmed their support for ASEAN-led efforts in addressing the crisis in Myanmar and called for the full implementation of ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus.
Ukraine War Impacting Food Security and Global Economic System
“They expressed deep concern over the war in Ukraine and its tragic humanitarian consequences,” the joint statement said.
The ministers reiterated their support for a comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine that upholds all the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter.
Additionally, they underscored the growing impacts of this war on the global economic system and food security, with consequences predominantly affecting developing and least-developed countries.
Condemnation of Terrorism, India-Australia RISE
During the meeting, the ministers condemned terrorism and agreed to work together to take concerted action, specifically concerning countering radicalisation and violent extremism.
Ministers looked forward to Australia’s participation in India’s multilateral air Exercise Tarang Shakti in 2024, and noted Australia’s invitation for India to participate in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.
The ministers also launched a new 1.5-track India-Australia Strategic Dialogue to share perspectives and policy solutions on challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region.
They welcomed the launch of the India-Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE), a new accelerator program of the Atal Innovation Mission under NITI Aayog.
Australia and India share a close bilateral relationship with our shared history and people-to-people links.
— Richard Marles (@RichardMarlesMP) November 20, 2023
Thank you to @rajnathsingh and @DrSJaishankar for hosting the second India–Australia 2+2 Ministerial meeting tonight. 🇦🇺🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/qV4XrTqQbL
Furthermore, the ministers stressed an early conclusion of an India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and their Australian counterparts, Richard Marles and Penny Wong, participated in the second India-Australia 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue on 20 November in New Delhi.