India, Australia Stress Maritime Security Amid West Asia Crisis, China's Assertiveness

NEW DELHI: India and Australia on Monday underscored the importance of “freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded maritime trade” amid disruptions in energy supply chains following the West Asia crisis, and also advocated for a “free, open, peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific” at a time China is increasing its assertiveness in the region. During the second India-Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue here, defence minister Rajnath Singh and Australian deputy PM and defence minister Richard Marles “discussed advancements in bilateral maritime security cooperation and efforts to finalise the joint maritime security collaboration roadmap, and agreed to progress the collaborative maritime domain awareness activities by maritime patrol aircraft and explore opportunities to enhance undersea domain awareness,” a joint statement read. Welcoming the “significant progress in bilateral relationship”, they advanced the long-term vision of PM Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese for collaboration between the two countries to enhance collective strength, contribute to both countries’ security, and make an important contribution to regional peace and security. Later, Rajnath posted on X, “... Together we reviewed the full range of bilateral defence cooperation and discussed ways and means to enhance it further.”