India-Australia defence cooperation is vital for a free and open Indo-Pacifi

Canberra: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar claimed that the defence cooperation between India and Australia hugely contributes to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Jaishankar held talks with Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles on a two-day visit to Australia. Before that, EAMinister Jaishankar had bilateral talks with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. At this time, the Foreign Minister of Australia had claimed that India and Australia are shaping the Indo-Pacific region with the cooperation of other countries.

EAM Jaishankar, who is on a tour of New Zealand and Australia, had clearly outlined India’s position on the Ukraine conflict and India’s cooperation with Russia and the Indo-Pacific region. In particular, Jaishankar had drawn the attention of the West by saying that the defence cooperation between India and Russia has developed only because of the United States. Despite repeated demands for arms, the United States refused to supply arms to India. Instead, the United States adopted a policy of providing weapons to the dictators in Pakistan. Because of this, India had to depend on Russian-made weapons; Jaishankar made the Westerners who were critical of the cooperation between India and Russia aware. EAM Jaishankar’s New Zealand-Australia tour is becoming a sensation due to these bold statements.

Meanwhile, saying that this cooperation significantly contributes to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, EAM Jaishankar praised the defence cooperation between India and Australia. Jaishankar indirectly suggested that India’s collaboration with Australia becomes very important against the backdrop of the imbalance created in the Indo-Pacific region due to Chinese hegemonic activities. At the same time, Jaishankar also clearly laid out that India’s relations with China were strained.

Claiming that the last two and half years had been tough India-China relations, Jaishankar again drew attention to China’s hegemonic activities. Speaking at the Lowy Institute, a famous think tank in Australia, EAM Jaishankar gave information about the strained relations with China. There was bloodshed after 40 years between India and China, and 20 Indian soldiers were martyred in the conflict in Galwan. Jaishankar informed that the next day, he had contacted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi over the phone and appealed to him not to let the situation fester.

Australia’s government, senior officials and analysts have repeatedly warned of the potential threat to their country from China. Against this threat, Australia has increased cooperation with countries in the Indo-Pacific region, and Australia is giving particular importance to its collaboration with India. These results began to be seen, and China raised the weapon of trade sanctions against Australia. Chinese diplomats had also threatened Australia with dire consequences. However, the Australian government has taken a strong stance and expanded cooperation with India at all levels. Therefore, EAM Jaishankar’s statements about China during his visit to Australia seem to have gained importance.