Q.

Discuss the various areas of bilateral engagements between India

and Australia. Also highlight certain challenges faced by the Indio-
Australia relationship.

As current geopolitics is in a state of flux with the balance of power

shifting from West to East, new regional and global equations have
begun to emerge.
China is gaining central stage in geopolitics and geoeconomics, so USA
has started to shift its attention from Middle East and Afghanistan to
South China sea and Southeast Asia to maintain its hegemony.
AREAS OF BILATERAL ENGAGEMENT:
1) GEOPOLITICAL: -
a) With QUAD as idea taking its shape, India and Australia both as
members of the regional grouping have started sharing
common security concerns along with Japan and USA.
b) 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue instated in 2022
c) Chinas disproportionate economic growth and military might
with respect to regional players have caused both countries to
engage actively.
2) ECONOMIC: -
a) Bilateral trade between the two countries currently stands at
$30billion and is aimed to boost at $100billion by 2030.
b) Coal, Petroleum products, Gold, Education Services as major
products of import.
c) Gems and Jewlery, IT Services, Medical Techs as major
products of export.
d) Indus-ECTA has come to effect
3) DEFENCE COOPRATION: -
a) Both share membership at QUAD, Commonwealth, IORA
 b) Both share a vision of Rule Based International Order.
c) AUSINDEX military exercise is carried out annually.
d) AUSTRAHIND 4TH time has been conducted.
e) Australia is in consideration to be a part of Malabar Trilateral
Exercise conducted annually.
4) HISTORICAL: -
a) Both countries were British Colonies
b) Both countries established relations before independence in
1941.
5) ENERGY: - Uranium imports India is only country to receive uranium
despite being a non-NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) signatory.
6) DIASPORA: - Presence of a huge Indian diaspora of working
professionals and students in Australia.
CHALLENGES IN RELATION:
1. CECA (Comprehensive Economic and Cooperation Agreement) is
still under negotiation even after 20 years of negotiation deadlock
is still not resolved.
a. With India opposing greater access of Indian agriculture and
dairy market to Australia.
b. Australia opposing greater free movement access and IT
Service sector of India.
c. Difference in opinion about Rules of Origin.
2. Australia's greater strategic policy alignment with USA ang
greater economic integration with China leave her with lesser
maneuverability for India specific interest alignment.
3. Liquified Natural Gas sector despite its potential is yet to
blossom.
4. Restricting Visa of Indian students.
Despite the differences, shared values as Democracy, English language,
Pluralism, people-to-people ties, shared efforts on climate change and
sustainable development along with strategic compulsions arise with
rise of China has provided opportunities to both the countries to join
hands in spirit of a multipolar world order.