Australia Prioritizes Defence Cooperation with India in NDS 2024

• 22 Apr 2024

In April 2024, Australia affirmed India as a top-tier security partner, enhancing defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Key Points

• Australia's Strategic Partnership with India: Australia's National Defence Strategy 2024 underscores India's pivotal role in the region, aiming to deepen defence cooperation and promote stability.
• Enhanced Defence Cooperation: The NDS emphasizes practical bilateral and multilateral cooperation, defence industry collaboration, and information sharing to bolster Indo-Pacific security.
• Investment in Defence Capabilities: The Integrated Investment Programme allocates $330 billion over a decade to enhance defence capabilities, reflecting Australia's commitment to regional security.
• Geopolitical Focus: Australia aims to strengthen defence relationships with partners across Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and the Indian Ocean, including deepening ties with Japan and India.
• Addressing Regional Flashpoints: The NDS highlights increasing tensions in the Taiwan Strait, disputes in the South and East China Seas, and potential conflicts between India and Pakistan and India and China.
• Counterterrorism Efforts: Australia acknowledges the enduring threat of terrorism and commits to addressing extremism, particularly in the context of ongoing volatility in the Middle East.
• Maritime Engagement: Australia prioritizes engagement in the Northeast Indian Ocean, emphasizing regularized defence presence and cooperation with regional partners like Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Bangladesh.