JAKARTA, Indonesia -By Dr Majid Khan- Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles held a key meeting with his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto on Monday to strengthen security cooperation in response to China’s growing aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.
During the talks, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two countries in promoting regional peace and stability. The two governments expressed their commitment to expanding security ties, including joint military training programs in Australia and educational opportunities for Indonesian cadets at Australian academies.
Historically, military exchanges between Indonesia and Australia have included counter-terrorism and border security measures. The recent talks were aimed at deepening defense engagements, with Marles reiterating his commitment to strengthening ties with Australia’s closest big neighbour.
While refraining from commenting on his discussions with Subianto, Marles expressed enthusiasm about furthering the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries during his visit to Jakarta.
Relations between Indonesia and Australia, often regarded as important neighbors and strategic allies, have experienced their fair share of ups and downs. Past controversies include allegations of wiretapping in 2013, the use of the death penalty on Australian drug traffickers, and instances of people-trafficking.
In 2017, Indonesia temporarily suspended military cooperation with Australia due to alleged insults against Indonesia’s state ideology and military. Additionally, in September 2021, Indonesia lodged a diplomatic protest against Australia over delays in information sharing within the AUKUS Tripartite Agreement, involving the United States and the United Kingdom, and Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines. was done.
To address regional challenges, Australia, Japan and Singapore participated for the first time in the annual Indonesia-U.S. A joint combat exercise called Super Garuda Shield last year. China has seen these expanded exercises as a potential threat and has accused the US of creating an Indo-Pacific alliance similar to NATO, aimed at countering China’s growing military and diplomatic influence in the region. to stop.
Minister Marles arrived in Jakarta after attending the annual Shangri-La Dialogue Security Forum in Singapore. He praised Australia’s communications about its nuclear-powered submarine program as a model of “military transparency” and called on China to provide “strategic clarity” for its military expansion.
After his visit to Indonesia, Marles, who also serves as Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister, plans to travel to Vanuatu to further strengthen regional partnerships.
As tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific, Australia and Indonesia’s renewed commitment to defense ties is an important step in safeguarding regional security and countering China’s aggression in the region.
