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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Australian Army Chief to visit India this month amid deepening Indo-Pacific military ties
Chief of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, is set to visit India from August 10 to 14, during which he will hold high-level discussions with Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence. His visit comes only four months after India's Chief of Defence Staff travelled to Australia, where he held high-level meetings with Admiral David Johnston, Australia's Chief of Defence Force, and the Chiefs of Staff Committee. The deliberations focused on strengthening military cooperation, with emphasis on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, joint exercises, capacity building, defence technology exchange, and new bilateral initiatives. According to Army sources, this visit is of strategic significance, reaffirming the growing depth of the India–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly in the military domain, as both nations work to uphold a stable and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. India and Australia had earlier held the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi in November 2023, and the next edition is scheduled in Australia in 2025, showcasing regular high-level dialogue between the two nations. The Defence Policy Talks, held in July 2023 in Australia, had provided a timely platform for reviewing ongoing collaboration and identifying new areas for joint initiatives, the sources said, adding that these dialogues, along with working groups and staff-level talks, continue to drive forward-looking cooperation in capability development, logistics, interoperability, and strategic posturing in the Indo-Pacific. 'From this robust foundation, the Indian Army–Australian Army bilateral engagement has emerged as a key pillar in the growing military partnership,' a source said. Both the armies have seen a growing operational cooperation between the Indian Army and the Australian Army, which was marked by increasing complexity, scale, and strategic relevance of joint exercises and deployments. 'Exercise AUSTRAHIND, launched in 2016, remains the flagship bilateral field training exercise between the two Armies. Focused on counter-terrorism, close-quarter battle, and joint tactical operations, it has seen active participation from Indian Army, alongside Australia's 1st Brigade,' the sources said, adding that the next edition is scheduled in Australia in November 2025, further strengthening interoperability under realistic terrain scenarios. The Army has also been an active participant in Exercise Talisman Sabre, a multinational exercise hosted by Australia. The Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE-22) also witnessed significant engagement by the Indian Army, where both sides conducted joint professional exchanges and field discussions on HADR, jungle warfare, and counter-terrorism operations. Sources said that on the training and institutional cooperation front, the two Armies have maintained a consistent exchange through premier military courses and academic programmes. 'Indian Army officers regularly participate in Australian courses such as the Australian Defence and Strategic Studies Course, Army Command and Staff Course, and the Combined Defence Intelligence and Research Analysis Course,' a source said, adding that Australian officers are nominated for Indian institutions including the National Defence College (NDC), Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), and the Higher Defence Orientation Course (HDOC). 'An Instructor Exchange Programme conducted at the Indian Army's Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare (CIJW) School, Vairengte, further deepened tactical and instructional integration,' the sources said, adding that regular Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) have enriched doctrinal understanding and contributed to enhanced interoperability between the two forces. Another initiative was the India–Australia Young Officers Exchange Programme, conceptualized by late General Bipin Rawat and launched during the 2022 Prime Minister-level virtual summit. 'This initiative allows young officers from both Armies to train together, experience field environments, and understand each other's operational ethos an investment in future leadership synergy,' an officer said. Sources said the Army-to-Army Staff Talks, first initiated in 2010, have evolved from a biennial to an annual engagement since 2016, reflecting the growing frequency and significance of operational dialogue. 'This platform also serves as a vital forum for discussing bilateral strategic issues, enhancing mutual understanding and coordination on matters of regional and global relevance,' they added. Moreover, Indian firms have exported key platforms to Australia in significant amounts, showcasing indigenous capabilities in tactical ISR, mobility, and protected systems. Collaboration between the Army Design Bureau and Australia's Digger Works is being explored to jointly develop combat-tested, cost-effective solutions suited to contemporary battlefield needs. 'Lieutenant General Simon Stuart's visit to India reflects the Indian Army's rising profile as a credible partner in the Indo-Pacific and its commitment to shaping collective preparedness through meaningful cooperation,' a source said, adding that this visit is expected to consolidate operational synergy and strategic trust—laying the groundwork for the next phase of Army-to-Army collaboration in the region.
The Print
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Print
Trump's flip-flop to China's aggression—What's bringing India and Australia closer
This enhanced partnership encompasses multiple overlapping mechanisms, including the 2+2 dialogue for high-level coordination on defence and foreign affairs, intergovernmental consultations, and a Free Trade Agreement. These initiatives reflect a shared commitment to deepening cooperation across various sectors, from security to trade and technology. Reflecting on the trajectory of India-Australia relations, it is remarkable how far the partnership has come in a relatively short period. Just a decade ago, Australia was not a prominent feature in India's strategic considerations. However, shifting geopolitical dynamics have brought the two nations closer. The year 2025 marks the fifth anniversary of the elevation of the bilateral ties from a strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership, placing Australia among a select group of countries with which India maintains a 360-degree engagement framework. The recent visit of Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles to New Delhi has provided a significant boost to the burgeoning ties between India and Australia. This diplomatic outreach underscores Australia's unwavering support for India in its battle against terrorism in all its manifestations. Notably, Marles' visit comes shortly after the Albanese administration's re-election, marking an early and decisive engagement with India at a time of heightened global uncertainty. Critical drivers At the heart of this evolving relationship lies a mutual recognition of the importance of defence and security collaboration. During Marles' visit, both nations welcomed the signing of the Australia-India Joint Research Project and agreed to intensify and diversify defence industry collaboration. The upcoming third India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue later this year is expected to further advance defence science and technology cooperation, enhancing interoperability and addressing common security challenges. Beyond bilateral engagements, both countries are active participants in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), an informal grouping that includes the United States and Japan. The Quad aims to promote a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, serving as a counterbalance to China's growing influence. The inclusion of Australia in the Malabar naval exercises, alongside India, Japan, and the US, has further built interoperability and trust. The Quad stands as the most prominent example of the plurilateral cooperation linking the United States and India with two of their closest strategic partners. Yet, America's current relationship with India has lost the sheen it was expected to have. While Washington has not formally withdrawn from key security alliances like NATO or informal groupings such as the Quad, the Trump administration's flippy-floppy foreign policy toward its allies and partners has irked all. Trump's semi-betrayal of Europe on Ukraine has unsettled allies around the globe—including Australia and New Zealand, both formal defence partners of the US. As the US-China rivalry develops, regional states are scrambling to protect their interests. There is little clarity on how Western powers might respond to a potential Chinese military takeover of Taiwan. A direct military confrontation between the US and China remains improbable, a reality acknowledged both overtly and implicitly by voices within and outside the US government. For Indo-Pacific nations caught in the geopolitical crossfire—reliant on China for trade and the US for security—investing in their own strategic resilience appears to be the most prudent path forward. Also read: OTT is connecting India & Australia like never before—immigrants, racism, mental health Beyond the Quad Global military spending surged by 9.4 per cent in 2024—the steepest increase since the Cold War—driven by the return of attritional warfare and China's growing maritime assertiveness. In Australia, this has reignited calls to overhaul defence capabilities. The urgency was echoed, albeit abrasively, by US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, lamenting America's 'overgenerosity'. Yet, amid the unpredictability of leaders like Donald Trump and the transactional nature of US foreign policy, countries in the region are pursuing resilience. And here, there are many more conversations that New Delhi and Canberra can have. To refine the discourse around building resilience in the Indo-Pacific, a few critical questions must be addressed: How does the China factor shape India-Australia cooperation? How do these shared concerns influence their bilateral and multilateral responses? And finally, are there any missing links that, if bridged, could yield a more resilient and coordinated response to today's complex geopolitical disruptions? First, China's strategic posture manifests differently for India and Australia. For India, the primary threat is terrestrial: a long, contested, approximately 3,488 km border remains a constant source of friction and a challenge to regional stability. Alongside this, India competes with China for leadership of the loosely termed 'Global South'. While India holds substantial diplomatic clout and credibility, China leverages overwhelming financial muscle. In contrast, the maritime domain is where New Delhi and Canberra find significant convergence. India faces encirclement through Beijing's 'string of pearls'—strategic investments in ports across the Indian Ocean. Similarly, Australia confronts Chinese influence through its growing presence in the South Pacific. Chinese capital has deeply penetrated this region, bringing Beijing uncomfortably close to Australia's maritime borders. In February 2025, this proximity turned provocative when a group of Chinese warships sailed into waters closer to Australia than ever before, marking a significant escalation and showing China's blue-water naval capabilities. This incursion triggered a heightened alert across Australia's defence establishment. The Royal Australian Navy responded with immediate readiness measures—deploying vessels like HMAS Hobart for anti-submarine operations, equipped with an array of SAM missiles and advanced warfare systems. But it also highlighted a stark reality: Australia remains heavily reliant on the US for security, and its defence capacity falls short of China's rapidly expanding military under Xi Jinping. Understanding China, however, requires acknowledging its distinct conception of warfare. For the Chinese Communist Party, war ends with kinetic battles, but doesn't begin there. Warfare is a continuum that begins with psychological manipulation, elite capture, and economic lure and coercion. This strategic ambiguity—combining symbolic aggression with soft power incentives—has allowed China to build relationships across the world, including Australia's 'near abroad.' From security agreements with the Solomon Islands and Samoa to expanding influence in Tonga, Fiji, and the Cook Islands, China has entrenched itself in regions historically viewed as within Australia's strategic domain. India, too, is familiar with these tactics—both on its borders and in the Indian Ocean. While Australia has evolved from the sinophilic era of Kevin Rudd to a more assertive and clear-eyed view of Chinese ambitions, the need now is to go beyond reactive defence postures. Second, responses from both countries fall into two categories: individual capability-building, such as Australia's increased defence spending and aspiring for niche tech under the AUKUS submarine deal—and other second-plurilateral frameworks with like-minded partners. However, a deeper concern looms. While most strategic conversations focus on the possibility of a Chinese military move on Taiwan—and by extension, potential flashpoints involving Japan's disputed Senkaku Islands—it is the immediate and ongoing threat that is more insidious: hybrid warfare. Cyberattacks, disinformation, AI misuse, and critical infrastructure sabotage represent the grey zone where China operates most effectively. A recent Lowy Institute survey revealed that Australians rank cyberattacks as their top national security concern—above the direct US-China military conflict. Way forward Herein lies the opportunity: Australia could serve as a bridge between European institutional expertise and Indo-Pacific realities. The EU's Enhancing Security in and with Asia (ESIWA) initiative recently established the Hybrid Intelligence and Policy Analysis (HIPPA) unit in Australia. For the first time, the EU has extended the capabilities of its Hybrid Centre of Excellence—based in Finland—into the Indo-Pacific, alluding to a convergence of security theatres. India, with its active engagement in cyber and maritime security partnerships with the EU as well as with Australia and Japan, is well-placed to integrate into this framework. By linking disjointed initiatives and standardising hybrid threat responses, this cooperation could form the basis of a new and highly functional Quad—comprising the EU, India, Australia, and Japan—complementing the other Quad as and when the American worldview stabilises. With participation from ASEAN and South Pacific partners, the new grouping could offer collective, institutionalised responses to hybrid threats—addressing the most imminent threats today, not simply preparing for a war in the future. Swasti Rao is a consulting editor at ThePrint and a foreign policy expert. She tweets @swasrao. Views are personal. (Edited by Ratan Priya)
Maroc
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Maroc
Morocco Advances Democratization of Cultural Access Under HM the King Enlightened Leadership
Morocco is working, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to democratize access to culture, through reinforcing infrastructure, reducing disparities and promoting training in cultural professions, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid said on Monday in Abu Dhabi. Speaking at the ministerial session on "The impact of artificial intelligence on culture and human creativity", held as part of the Ministerial Dialogue of the 7th Abu Dhabi Culture Summit, Bensaid pointed out that culture is a lever for individual fulfillment, a driver of social cohesion and a major source of employment. At the end of the session, attended by several ministers of culture from around the world, the Minister reaffirmed Morocco's commitment to placing culture at the heart of its development project, emphasizing artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to be put at the service of mankind. He also highlighted the Kingdom's efforts to integrate AI into strategic sectors such as culture and creative industries, pointing out that these technologies help enhance the country's historical heritage, boost its attractiveness to tourists and educators, and create new job opportunities for young people. Bensaid then spoke of adopting a proactive approach to the challenges of digital transformation, calling for continued international debate on the protection of copyright in the digital age, in order to keep pace with technological progress while preserving creators' rights. The Ministerial Dialogue was co-chaired by Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak and Assistant Director-General for Culture at UNESCO Ernesto Ottone. Bensaid, in his capacity as Chairman of the Arab States Regional Consultations for Mondiacult 2025, also took part in the second meeting of the regional consultations held on the sidelines of the Summit. MAP: 28 avril 2025
Express Tribune
26-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
FinMin meets global rating agencies' teams, IMF
Listen to article Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, met with the Fitch Ratings team in Washington, DC, on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Spring Meetings. According to a press statement released on Friday, the finance minister expressed gratitude to Fitch Ratings for upgrading Pakistan's sovereign credit rating from CCC+ to B-, describing it as a reflection of the country's improving macroeconomic outlook and fiscal discipline. He explained that this positive revision would pave the way for Pakistan's return to international financial markets. During the meeting, Aurangzeb also updated the Fitch team on the government's structural reform agenda, especially in the areas of energy, taxation, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), public finance, and debt management. The engagement included detailed responses to Fitch's inquiries regarding ongoing tariff reforms, tax administration improvements, and broader revenue mobilisation strategies. On the same sidelines, the finance minister met with representatives from Moody's, where he reiterated the government's commitment to a structural reform agenda aimed at ensuring Pakistan is firmly set on the trajectory of long-term economic stability. He cited positive economic indicators including low inflation, current and primary account surpluses, exchange rate stability, and record-high remittance inflows as evidence of Pakistan's steady economic footing. Aurangzeb highlighted a comprehensive tax reform initiative currently underway, aimed at expanding and deepening the tax base through improved processes, technology integration, and personnel development. Regarding tariff reforms, he expressed the government's readiness to engage constructively with the United States administration. In another significant engagement, the finance minister met with Jihad Azour, Director for the Middle East and Central Asia at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He reiterated Pakistan's commitment to stay the course on reforms and to build on the achievements of the past eighteen months. As per the statement, Aurangzeb described the credit rating upgrade by Fitch as an external validation of the reform programme's success, and a critical boost to investor confidence in Pakistan's economic trajectory. Speaking at the Vulnerable 20 (V20) Ministerial Dialogue on "Enabling Climate Prosperity," Aurangzeb also outlined Pakistan's Climate Financial Strategy. He said the country was working on a Climate Prosperity Plan and had reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF on a new RSF arrangement.
