The ‘2+2’ dialogue between India and Australia will add to the already fruitful partnership
It was inaugurated a few days ago by the Defense Minister and External Affairs Minister of India. ‘2+2’ talk with their Australian counterparts. Both countries are taking several steps to implement their vision of a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
positive trajectory of relationships
India and Australia have completed one year of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and their bond continues to deepen. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison expanded their bilateral strategic partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in June 2020. Their personal connection is providing the political framework and impetus to this partnership. There is increasing convergence of views on geo-strategic and geo-economic issues due to strong people-to-people linkages. Both countries have enhanced cooperation through institutions and organizations on a range of issues in bilateral, trilateral, multilateral and multilateral formats. In addition, their height ‘2+2’ Foreign and Defense Secretaries talks Emphasizes the positive trajectory of their changing relationship up to the ministerial level.
Both countries have an enduring interest in a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. This includes stability and freedom of navigation for all countries in the region. In view of their common security challenges and to enhance the regional security architecture, the two countries have intensified bilateral security cooperation. They have also intensified security dialogue with key partner-countries to deepen coordination in areas where security interests are mutual. The Malabar naval exercise by Quad (Australia, India, Japan, USA) is a step in this direction. While this indicates deeper engagement and cooperation at the strategic level between the Quad countries, it also allows navies to develop and enhance advanced warfare strategies. In the 2021 Malabar naval exercise, India was represented by the Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Shivalik and anti-submarine frigate INS Kadmat, while Australia was represented by its Anzac-class frigate HMAS Waramonga.
Trade between India and Australia has increased significantly in recent years. The two-way trade between them was valued at $24.4 billion in 2020. The Indian economy is not only one of the largest economies in the world, but it is also undergoing a tectonic economic transformation. In this effort, Australia is an important partner as both draw their analogies from a rules-based international order, believe in inclusive economic integration in the Indo-Pacific, and face challenges from a belligerent China. Business is growing rapidly and includes agribusiness, infrastructure, healthcare, energy and mining, education, artificial intelligence, big data and fintech. The two countries are working to build a long-term sustainable economic relationship. In a joint release last month, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry and the Australian Minister of Trade announced that an early harvest agreement by December would pave the way for an early conclusion of a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement between the two countries.
But despite growth in trade, India and Australia need to address chronic issues that hinder deeper economic integration. India has high tariffs for agricultural and dairy products, making it difficult for Australian exporters to export these items to India. At the same time, India faces non-tariff barriers and discrimination to its skilled professionals in the Australian labor market.
building a deeper partnership
India-Australia relations have deepened over the past few decades due to the alignment of strategic interests driven by a common value system. Both are vibrant democracies that respect international law and believe in the equality of all nations, regardless of their size and strength. It is hoped that the ‘2+2’ dialogue will give essence to this partnership. The expected meetings between the two Prime Ministers will deepen political understanding and open up more avenues of cooperation. Beyond bilateralism, both countries are partnering with like-minded countries including Indonesia, Japan and France in a tripartite framework.
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The quad has gained momentum in recent months. The time has come for these countries to discuss the ‘Quad+’ framework. Geopolitical and geo-economic brainstorming in international affairs makes it imperative for India and Australia to forge a partnership guided by principles with a humanitarian approach.
Rajeev Ranjan Chaturvedi is Associate Professor at Nalanda University, Rajgir and Kingshuk Saha is a Bangalore-based researcher. thoughts are personal
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