Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist March 2019 | Page 22

India and Australia towards a
Comprehensive Partnership in the
Indo-Pacific Region
By Dr. Ashok Sharma*
T
he year 2019 started with the US
planning to conduct a naval drill
in the Japanese Pacifi c Ocean and
China’s continued assertiveness in the region
through the Chinese leadership reaffi rmation
of its claim over Taiwan in its New Year
Address message. A lot is happening in the
Indo-Pacifi c region which has been gaining
prominence as a global centre of economic
and military build-up over the past two
decades. Amidst these major trends, the
region has also witnessed the rise of India
and its expanding economic and strategic
engagement with the Indo-Pacifi c nations.
Consequently, the Indo-Pacifi c nations are
concerned about the stability in the region
but at the same time have reformulated their
economics driven foreign policies to benefi t
from the immense economic potential of
the region. Amidst these setups, two major
powers in the region India and Australia
have taken steps to elevate their bilateral
engagement. Both nations are today engaged
in a range of areas in their bilateral relations
including the strategic concerns in the Indo-
Pacifi c region.
22 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 7 • Issue 3 • March 2019, Noida
In recent years, India and Australia have
enhanced their engagement politically. This
is visible in their bilateral exchange and
high-level political visits. The visit of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, the first for an
Indian PM in almost three decades and the
visit of Indian President Ramnath Kovind,
the fi rst by any Indian President show India’s
keenness in Australia. Prime Minister Modi’s
visit and his remarks that Australia is no more
at the periphery show the intent of India’s
seriousness in engaging with Australia.
Australia too has reciprocated with high
level political and offi cial visits. The visit of
Prime Minister Tony Abbot to India in 2014
was signifi cant when he concluded the India-
Australia civilian nuclear deal thus ending the
impasse over the nuclear issue and paving
the way for the sale of Australian uranium
to India. This has helped in enhancing
mutual trust and confidence between the
two nations. The latest importance given to
India at the highest policy level is visible in
an independent report viz. ‘India Economic
Strategy to 2035’ which was released in
June 2018, authored by Mr Peter Varghese,