Indo Australia ties: The goal of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s first visit to India since taking office in May of last year is to deepen bilateral ties in the areas of economics, clean energy, education, and defence. A few days after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to India last week, and ten days before the March 19–21 visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Albanese is in India.
Malabar exercises to strengthen military ties between India, Japan, US, and Australia
All of the Quad member countries have now visited India, days after their foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi the previous week. Officials stated that Australia will host military activities with India, Japan, and the US in the “Malabar” exercises off the coast of Perth in August, despite the fact that Albanese’s tour began with cricket diplomacy in Ahmedabad on Thursday. India has been invited by Australia to participate in the Talisman Sabre exercises, which will be a significant operation for the Australian Defense Force later this year.
INS Vikrant visit underscores India’s importance as top-tier security partner
INS Vikrant was also visited by Albanese on Thursday. “India is a top-tier security partner for Australia. The security and prosperity of both nations depend on the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, there has never been a time in the histories of either of our nations when there was such a strong strategic alignment. For our commerce and economic well-being, we both rely on free and open access to sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific, he said while speaking on board the INS Vikrant.
Young Defence Officers’ Exchange Program highlights joint training initiatives
A 15-member Australian contingent, including four women officers from the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, and Royal Australian Air Force, visited the Shatrujeet Brigade in Agra on Thursday as part of the General Rawat Australia-India Young Defence Officers’ Exchange Program, which was established in honour of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat. Also present were 15 chosen Indian officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. During the visit, paratroopers from the elite formation led the Indian and Australian commanders through a series of training demonstrations relevant to fighting in populated areas. The Economic Cooperation Trade Agreement (ECTA), which took effect in December 2022, will also be reviewed by the two parties.
Australia and India’s collaboration in various international fora
Since ECTA is the first free trade agreement that India has signed with a developed nation in ten years, duty on 96% of India’s exports to Australia in value—or 98% of the tariff lines—was immediately reduced to zero, and there was no duty on 85% of Australia’s exports to India. A Mechanism for Mutual Recognition of Educational Qualifications (MREQ) was signed in the area of education on March 2. This will make it easier for students to go between Australia and India. University of Wollongong and Deakin University intend to establish campuses in India.
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Support for India’s bid for a seat on a strengthened UN Security Council
What is notable is that India and Australia collaborate in numerous international fora in addition to bilateral exchanges. According to officials, Australia supports India’s bid for a seat on a strengthened UN Security Council. The two nations are also members of the Commonwealth, the International Solar Alliance, the ASEAN Regional Forum, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, and have taken part in East Asia Summits.
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