India-Australia security relationship is crucial in securing Indian Ocean Region and aids expanding bilateral ties. Explain (200 Words)
Refer - The Hindu
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 6 years
KEY POINTS
· A key element of Australia’s Indo-Pacific strategy is partnering with India in the vibrant Indian Ocean Region. India is a leader in this region and Australia is a natural partner for addressing shared challenges.
· Both the countries must continue to work together to combat transnational crime, terrorism, people smuggling, and illegal fishing, in order that they all enjoy a peaceful and prosperous Indian Ocean Region.
· As the nation with one of the longest Indian Ocean coastlines and with more than half of our goods trade departing Indian Ocean ports, Australia is committed to addressing humanitarian and environmental challenges in Indian Ocean neighbourhood.
· Establishment of International Fusion Centre to provide real-time surveillance data for countries across the region as well as enhancing policing and military training both bilaterally and through regional centres.
· India-Australia bilateral relationship. Under the joint naval exercise known as AUSINDEX, we saw the largest ever peacetime deployment of Australian defence assets and personnel to India.
· AUSINDEX, which has just concluded, builds on a fourfold increase in our defence engagement.
· Australia’s largest defence deployment to India, the exercise was the most complex ever carried out between our defence forces.
· Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific, AU$2 billion initiative will boost Australia’s support for infrastructure development in Pacific countries.
