Modi in Australia: India, Australia sign new defense pact, agree on civil nuclear cooperation

Published Jul 14, 01:56 PM UTC

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day visit to Australia resulted in significant defense and security outcomes, including a Joint Declaration on Defense that emphasizes interoperability, information sharing, and consultation on Indo-Pacific developments. The article analyzes how Australia and India are forming new minilateral coalitions with partners like Indonesia and New Zealand to maximize strategic options amid unease about reliance on the United States. A notable outcome is the agreement on civil nuclear energy cooperation and uranium sales to India, overcoming past NPT-related hurdles. The analysis calls for Indo-Pacific partners to present a unified front against China's trade coercion, arguing that Beijing's asymmetric advantage exists only in bilateral dealings. The article highlights the alliance-like language in the defense declaration, marking a shift from India's traditional avoidance of formal alliances.