India-Australia Bolster Maritime and Counter-Terrorism Ties

6th India-Australia Maritime Security Dialogue

• Meeting held on August 13, 2024, in Canberra, Australia
• Indian delegation led by Ms Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary of Disarmament & International Security Affairs
• Australian delegation led by Ms Sarah Storey and Mr Bernard Philip from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Department of Defence, respectively

Focused on enhancing cooperation in various maritime domains:

• • Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
  • Sustainable use of marine resources
  • Search and Rescue operations
  • Pollution response
  • Blue economy
  • Port State control
• Discussed ways to maintain a safe maritime environment supporting inclusive growth and global well-being
• Reviewed progress and future plans under the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI)
• Next meeting (7th dialogue) to be held in New Delhi

14th India-Australia Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism

• Convened on August 12, 2024, in New Delhi, India
• Indian side led by K.D. Dewal, Joint Secretary for Counter-Terrorism, Ministry of External Affairs
• Australian delegation headed by Richard Feakes, Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism

Key discussion points:

• • Strengthening cooperation in countering terrorism
  • Exchanging views on regional and global terrorism
  • Condemning terrorism in all its forms
  • Emphasizing the need for enhanced international cooperation
• Reinforced counter-terrorism as a crucial pillar of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
• Next meeting (15th working group) to be hosted by Australia in Canberra

Significance of Bilateral Meetings

• Strengthens the India-Australia Strategic Partnership
• Enhances maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region

Addresses crucial maritime issues such as:

• • Maritime security in the Indo-Pacific
  • Maritime Domain Awareness
  • Piracy prevention
  • Combating illegal fishing
  • Cybersecurity and information sharing
• Promotes regional collaboration through forums like the Quad (including the US and Japan)
• Supports capacity-building efforts in neighboring countries
• Advocates for a free and open Indo-Pacific with adherence to international laws
• Builds upon the Shared Vision for Maritime Cooperation formalized in June 2020
• Continues the tradition of bilateral dialogues initiated in 2015

Australia: Key Facts and Strategic Importance

• Smallest continent and sixth-largest country by land area globally
• Located between the Pacific and Indian Oceans in the southern hemisphere
• Capital: Canberra
• Currency: Australian Dollar
• Current Prime Minister: Anthony Albanese
• Known as the "Oldest Continent," "the Last of Lands," and "the Last Frontier"
• Native population: Aborigines; large population of European-born settlers

Strategic importance:

• • Key player in maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region
  • Vital partner in countering regional security challenges
  • Shares common interests with India in promoting maritime security
  • Participates in joint naval exercises like AUSINDEX to strengthen military partnerships
  • Collaborates on initiatives to address maritime pollution, particularly plastic waste
  • Supports the development of sustainable blue economies in the region