Round The World

New Delhi, 24 November 2023

India-Australia Ties

THE 2+2 DIALOGUE

By Dr. D.K. Giri

(Secretary General, Assn for Democratic Socialism) 

India and Australia are rivals in cricket as two top teams in the world. They have clashed many times including in World Cup finals. After winning all the ten league matches, India unexpectedly, disappointingly lost to Australia in Sunday’s World Cup final. Even Prime Minister Modi was actively involved in the match, first as a spectator, then after the match, to commiserate the Indian team. However, that is cricket. Although, Indians are passionate about cricket, and a vast number tend to be emotional, each game should be taken sportingly, displaying magnanimity in victory and equanimity in defeat.  

On the other hand, the India-Australia bilateral engagement is currently at an all-time high encompassing defence, security, trade and cultural partnerships, technology and education as the key areas of collaboration. The Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles arrived in India early last week for the second 2+2 ministerial dialogue. As usual, the dialogues covered a wide range of issues including India-Canada relations which are undergoing some stress due to the rise of radicalism in Canada that is directed against India, and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. 

The close proximity between Australia and Canada necessitated a discussion on India-Canada relations and possibility of defusing the tension. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar underlined the need for such a discussion on Canada, “Australia has a good and strong relationship with both India and Canada. Hence it was important that Australia get our perspective on the issue”. He further pointed out that, “From our point of view, the key issue is really the space which is being given to extremism and radicalism in Canada.” 

Let us recall that the tensions between New Delhi and Canberra became worse with the controversial killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canadian Prime Minister accused the Indian intelligence agencies of being behind the killing. Diplomatic staff from either side was repatriated. Australia was reportedly upset with New Delhi sending back 41 Canadian diplomats. However, sadly another terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in a video appearance, has given a call to Sikhs to boycott Air India and has threatened the disruption of Air India flying across the world. Government of India has booked Pannun under several Acts of intimidation, prevention of unlawful acts etc. Presumably, the air was cleared between India and Australian leadership. 

From the available reports and the press briefings, it appeared that Australians have been sensitised on issues of terrorism which are of central concern to New Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs said in a press brief, “We had extensive discussion on security issues. We spoke about terrorism, radicalism and extremism. At the heart of it, is really a shared commitment to a free, open, inclusive, prosperous, and rule-based Indo-Pacific region.” 

The similar Indian approach echoed in their response to Israel-Hamas war. The Indian position consisted of her response to three issues in the present war – one is terrorism, second, the hostage issue and the third, humanitarian crisis in Palestine. Both countries agreed that it is a very complex and challenging situation which cannot be addressed by a single issue response like condemning Israel or calling for unilateral ceasefire. 

It is pertinent to note the driving factors that bring Australia and India closer. India’s strong ties with the US since the Indo-US Civil Agreement signed in 2008 helped Australia, as an ally of United States to embrace India. Second, China’s border clashes with India and trade disputes with Australia bring them together. China, in fact, as a common threat to both India and Australia works as a catalyst in their bilateralism. The Australian Deputy Prime Minister in the 2+2 dialogue confirmed that, “China is the biggest security anxiety for India and Australia”. His counterpart, the Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, endorsed it, “Strong India-Australia ties are crucial for peace, security and prosperity of the India Pacific”.  Indeed, India-Australia bilateralism is sustained by a mutual interest in containing China and ensuring a stable order in India Pacific region. 

Third, the domestic constituents in both countries like civil society actors, think tanks and research organisations have advocated a closer relationship between the two countries. Fourth, the mutual economic and trade interests have also driven the partnership. Australia hopes to enhance its partnership with India in order to cut down on its reliance on China. The Australian Prime Minister Antony Albanese came with 25 Australian business leaders to expand trade when he came for attending the G-20 meeting last September. Likewise, New Delhi wants to tap into Australia’s rich mineral resources and investment potentials. 

The bilateralism is conducted through several agreements, membership of multilateral coalitions and bilateral visits by top leadership. Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Australia in September 2014 was the first by any Indian Prime Minister in 28 years. Following this visit, a Framework of Security Cooperation paved the way for future engagements. In 2020, India and Australia announced a comprehensive strategic partnership that includes an agreement on maritime and cyber technology cooperation and Mutual Logistics Support Agreement to increase military inter-operability through defence exercises and further cooperation on defence, science and technology. 

In November 2022, both countries signed the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) in an effort to strengthen trade ties. Beyond bilateralism, Australia and India are involved in a range of multilateral mechanisms and regional groupings that include G-20, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, the ASEAN Regional Forum and Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD). Such agreements and cooperation have led to joint defence drills which are the main pillar of India-Australia bilateralism. 

Australia invited India to participate in Talisman Sabre, the most important military exercise between the US and Australia. Similar exercises between Australia and India include AusIndex, Kakadu, Pitch Black, and Milan. The Malabar Naval exercises where Australia has recently joined, is another frontline Naval exercise. In 2022, the joint army exercise Austra-Hind took place. 

To sum up, despite growing proximity between India and Australia, there are a few challenges to reckon with. Obviously, the bilateralism is shaped by their ‘shared interest’ and ‘shared values’. The shared interest is apparent, which is balancing China, the common threat. Second is the mutual benefit accruing from growing trade and economic partnership. There are concerns, however, on shared values. For instance, India’s refusal to condemn Russian aggression of Ukraine caused unease in Australia. 

Both countries got their independence from Britain. India chose to be non-aligned whereas Australia became an ally of the United States. While both have close defence partnership and are members of Quad, other members including Australia accommodate India’s strategic autonomy. Observers of India-Australia relations wonder what would be India’s position on Taiwan, if ever it was invaded by China. Any military confrontation like the one on Taiwan could have disastrous consequences in terms of security and economy in India-Pacific. Will India’s strategic autonomy sit well with such a destabilising possibility? 

For now, Australia seems to go along well with the Indian approach to multilateral partnerships. Also, the multi-stake holder approach favoured by both sides in building their bilateralism gives a cause for optimism. ---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)