Why is it in the news?

• Australia has recognized India as a “top-tier security partner” in the Indo-Pacific Region (IPR) in its 2024 National Defence Strategy (NDS).

More about the news

• The NDS outlines Australia’s commitment to enhancing practical bilateral and multilateral cooperation, defence industry collaboration, and information sharing with India.
• The India-Australia Security Partnership is significant within the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which also includes Japan and the US, aimed at addressing urgent challenges in the IPR.

Bilateral Cooperation

• Bilateral ties between India and Australia were elevated to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2020, emphasizing shared goals for maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
• Defence cooperation between the two countries is facilitated by agreements such as the Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement and the Defence Science and Technology Implementing Arrangement, with joint military exercises like AUSTRAHIND enhancing collaboration.
• The partnership is crucial for maintaining a rules-based order, ensuring freedom of navigation, and upholding international laws in the face of Chinese assertiveness in the region.
• Beyond security, India and Australia have deepened economic ties through agreements like the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement signed in 2022.
• Both countries are also collaborating on clean energy initiatives, as evidenced by the Letter of Intent signed in 2022 on New and Renewable Technology.
• Cooperation in critical minerals is facilitated by the MoU signed in 2022 between Australia’s Critical Minerals Office and India’s Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL).
• Additionally, civil nuclear cooperation between India and Australia was formalized through a Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement signed in 2014.