‘India is top-tier security partner’: Australia in first national defence strategy

Australia perceives India as a “top-tier security partner” and is giving priority to practical and tangible cooperation between the two sides that contributes to Indo-Pacific stability, according to the maiden national defence strategy released by Canberra.The document, issued by the Anthony Albanese government on Wednesday, states that Australia will support India’s key role in the region by enhancing defence cooperation. Australia will also seek opportunities with India to drive bilateral and multilateral cooperation, defence industry cooperation and information-sharing.

The national defence strategy aims to bolster the Australian Defence Force (ADF)’s deterrence and warfighting capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, including by building stronger partnerships with key countries. Defence minister Richard Marles has said Australia plans to hike military spending by $50.3 billion over the next decade and hit $100 billion by 2033.India is a top-tier security partner for Australia. Through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Australia and India, the Government is continuing to prioritise practical and tangible cooperation that directly contributes to Indo-Pacific stability,” the document stated in the section devoted to the Indian Ocean region.