Release of Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) Strategic Insight No. 11/2004

ASPI today released its latest Strategic Insight Australia-India Reengagement: Common Security Concerns, Converging Strategic Horizons, Complementary Force Structures.

Written by Ms Jenelle Bonnor and Professor Varun Sahni, the co-convenors of the Australia-India Security Roundtable, the paper argues that Australia and India have covered a considerable distance since bilateral defence and security relations were reestablished in 2000 after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus. There is now a well-established habit of dialogue between the two governments, particularly on strategic issues. This dialogue has built the foundation for a more substantial and predictable security relationship.

But for security relations to become more concrete, there is a need to move beyond discussions, important though they are, and to focus on increasing the number of bilateral exchanges and other forms of practical cooperation.

Australia and India share common security concerns, particularly the threat of terrorism. Their respective strategic horizons, in the eastern Indian Ocean and beyond, are converging. And their military establishments-though differing considerably in size and shape, are complementary: they have much to learn from the other, both in areas where they share expertise as well as in areas of dissimilarity. There is therefore significant scope for closer strategic and security cooperation between Australia and India.

The report is available on our web site http://www.aspi.org.au or can be obtained by contacting ASPI on (02) 6270 5100.