On Tuesday, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh convened a virtual discussion with his Australian counterpart Peter Dutton. In the discussion, the two sides spoke of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, celebrated their bilateral cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and resolved to convene for a 2+2 ministerial dialogue at the earliest.
During the telephonic conversation, Rajnath Singh expressed India’s commitment to a comprehensive strategic partnership with Australia. He also celebrated the “people-to-people” contact that has been further solidified by the partnership.
In addition, they conducted a review of their bilateral cooperation in defence and security, specifically in light of the regional tensions created by China’s aggressive activities in the Indo-Pacific. In this regard, they vowed to enhance their defence cooperation even further. India and Australia’s military cooperation is guided by the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement, which paves the way for both sides’ defence forces to use each other’s military bases to repair or replenish their supplies. It also covers broader aspects of their defence partnership to enhance cooperation.
The ministers also applauded their bilateral cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Rajnath Singh expressed his gratitude towards the Australian armed forces, who had helped deliver critical medical equipment and other supplies to India to help contain the second wave of the COVID-19 virus.
The pair further discussed the establishment of a 2+2 ministerial dialogue, which they vowed to convene soon. This mechanism, which will see the participation of the two countries’ foreign and defence ministers, was established with the aim to bolster strategic cooperation between India and Australia. Australia, along with the United States and Japan, is one of the few countries with whom such a dialogue has been established by India.
India has been growing its ties with Australia over the past few years and last year elevated its relationship from a Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. As a result, the two sides inked nine agreements, including the “Shared Vision for Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific” and a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement. All in all, India and Australia signed nine agreements, comprised of two ‘bilateral strategic declarations’ on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and seven other pacts.
Their partnership is further strengthened by their participation in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or the “Quad”. Through this alliance, which also comprises Japan and the United States, India and Australia have expanded their cooperation and collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, specifically to counter China’s growing aggressive activities in the region. The two countries have also time and again reiterated their joint commitment towards a rules-based Indo-Pacific, for which they have engaged in several military and naval exercises. Hence, Tuesday’s conversation between the two countries’ defence ministers is in furtherance of their already flourishing friendship, which is grounded in a military partnership.
Indian and Australian Defence Ministers Discuss Enhancing Strategic Partnership
Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh and his Australian counterpart Peter Dutton spoke of bilateral cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to enhance their strategic partnership.
June 2, 2021
SOURCE: DEFENCEXP