Modi and Morrison Summit Meeting-Likely Agenda Points

The two PMs are also going to discuss the issues related to promotion of trade, intensifying defence and technology cooperation, and promoting investment and services between the two countries. The issue of cooperation at both systemic and operational level would be discussed. The Logistics Support Agreement or mutual logistics support pact similar like LEMOA that India has signed with the US, would be finalized along with provision for island support agreement between Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Cocos(Keeling)islands. In terms of activating social media interest in this virtual meeting, the two Prime Ministers have already started highlighting the importance of this meeting.

Prior to this Summit Meeting, foreign and defence secretaries of India and Australia held the 2+2 talks in December 2019. The meeting addressed issues related to India’s position on the Indo-Pacific architecture, and how Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean are interconnected oceans. For India, Indo-Pacific is seen as extended Indian Ocean till the western limits of the Pacific Ocean. This geographical outline does not end at the west coast of the US or for that matter the west coast of Latin America. Australia, on the other hand, restricts its vision about Indo-Pacific up to Bay of Bengal.The synergy between the two is important for discussing future course of action   With regard to the Indo-Pacific the structural aspects of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief(HADR) will remain the priority area.

India does look forward for cooperation with Australia in terms of uranium imports with specific lenient safeguards. India would be interested to discuss possible areas of cooperation in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) and working along with Australia for the benefit of the South Pacific islanders. China’s inroads in the South Pacific has also been a concern for Australia, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison may like to share his views on the subject. India’s Forum for India-Pacific Islands cooperation(FIPIC) initiative also need some momentum in the post Covid phase. Indian side has made it clear that India does not nurture hegemonic aspirations and would like to adhere to Freedom of Navigation Operations(FONOPS) and enforce the rule of law and international order in the larger Indo-Pacific region.

The next edition of Milan Biennial exercises will be held in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and this year it was expected that more than 30 navies including Australia would have participated. This year Milan exercises was scheduled to be held in March 18-28 but was postponed due to Covid-19.  The possibility of cooperation between Australian Defence Research agencies (DSTA) and Defence Research Development Organization(DRDO) of India might be explored particularly pilot projects such as defence satellites and developing high altitude drones. India would like to work on mountain radar systems and Beyond Visual range missiles systems which can be ground based and can be fired even in adverse weather conditions. The Defence Technology Trade Initiative (DTTI) and the Defence Technology Trade Agreement (DTTA) that is signed by the two countries with US respectively have certain provisions which allow cooperation between US allies and strategic partners.

The developments in East Asia will be discussed under the regional security agenda and how Australia and India can protect their interests in South China Sea, given the fact that China has increased its patrols and surveillance in the Vanguard and Reed bank, and also increased military activities in the Gulf of Thailand. The time has come to formalize the East Asia Summit, and India and Australia share the same view that ASEAN institutions should be strengthened so that the ASEAN centrality is maintained. China’s paranoia cannot be the reasons for influencing the agenda for the postponed ASEAN plus dialogue partners summit. Vietnam being the ASEAN Chairman would like to raise pertinent questions related to the Code of Conduct in South China Sea and a complaint based mechanism.

Between India and Australia, the issue of terrorism and the return of the Islamic state fighters have also cropped up and the two prime ministers might like to discuss it in current context when Covid-19 can be used as a bioterrorism weapon. Australia has time and gain sought India’s indulgence in the issue of refugees/asylum seekers coming from West Asian countries to Australia through boats and landing up on Australian coast. The detention camps in Papua New Guinea’s Manas islands have faced violence and stabbing incidents in the past. Australia is wary of the refugees which are coming from the Middle East and South Asian nations. The issue of lone wolf attacks by Islamic State fighters returning home also requires due consultations and the best practices should be shared between the two countries. India and Australia can work on a comprehensive deradicalisation programme of these fighters.

India is wary of the fact that the Khalistan movement might also take roots in Australia and thereof might be a surge in anti-India activities just like in Canada, and sensing the strategic partnership and intelligence cooperation agreement between the two sides, it is imperative that Australia should take firm response against these terror groups. This would build confidence and also urge the two countries to work together on the issue of terrorism. The influx of the Islamic state cadres in the Southeast Asian countries requires attention of the two sides. 

         Australia has been willing to join next edition of Malabar exercises with India, Japan and the US. Australia has been trying to develop its far off islands including the Coco islands and Christmas islands and use it for drone and surveillance activities. Malabar series of exercises can be the flagship mission for the Quad countries and also they need to take group sail in South China Sea regularly to enforce role of law and FONOPS. India has been reluctant to do so despite knowing very well that China has developed Feydhoo Finolhu Island in Indian Ocean belonging to Maldives to place its strategic military assets. The same venture can be undertaken by China in the Pacific showing its skill in island reclamation in South China Sea. The National Security Council of India and Office of National Assessment in Australia should also develop an annual dialogue mechanism to discuss issues of common interest and thereby provide critical inputs to the political leadership of the two countries.  

With India not ready to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership(RCEP), Australia would like to negotiate the Bilateral Free Trade agreement with India, a major part of negotiations have already been concluded. The education and agriculture sector would be important areas for discussion as both countries would like to develop universities network and promote joint research among scientific institutions. Space technology, environment, blue economy and vocational training would be important areas to discuss. This meeting would highlight the fact that Quad would reinforce itself even in post Covid -19 world order.  

Pic Courtesy-Holger Link at Unsplash.com

(The views expressed are personal)