Australia and Indonesia Forge ‘Milestone’ Defence Agreement
Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto has strengthened ties with Australia through a new ‘treaty-level’ defence agreement.
Australia and Indonesia have committed to closer cooperation in the contested Asia-Pacific region, announcing a “treaty-level” defence pact on Aug. 20, which Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles hailed as “historic.”
The negotiations for this agreement began in February and will be officially signed in the upcoming weeks when Marles visits Indonesia.
This treaty goes beyond the current Australia-Indonesia Defence Co-operation Arrangement, enabling joint security exercises. It will involve Indonesian military and security personnel operating in Australia and vice versa.
Details beyond this are scarce, and no questions were allowed during a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indonesian President-elect and Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto.
Albanese emphasized the importance of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity in Australia’s relationship with Indonesia, calling it the most crucial partnership between the two nations.
“I am pleased to announce the conclusion of our bilateral treaty-level defence co-operation agreement today,” he declared.
Albanese also mentioned the Lombok Treaty signed in 2006, which includes a commitment from Australia not to support separatism, indicating its opposition to the West Papua independence movement.
‘Profoundly Significant’: Marles
Marles described the new agreement as a significant moment for the national security of both countries, enhancing interoperability between their defence forces.
Australia and Indonesia, being close neighbors, share a destiny and deep strategic trust now defines their relationship, according to Marles.
Both countries celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations this year, with Australia being one of the first supporters of Indonesian independence.
Prabowo echoed similar sentiments, viewing the defence pact as a symbol of the good relationship and friendship between the two nations.
Prabowo visited China in April this year, indicating growing military relationships with Beijing despite existing economic, political, and diplomatic ties with Australia.
The new treaty marks a significant step forward in countering Beijing’s influence over Jakarta, as Australia aims to strengthen its military relationship with Indonesia.
Australia’s investment in Indonesia in 2021 was valued at $4.3 billion, highlighting the ongoing economic cooperation between the two nations.
