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India-Australia Forge Full-Fledged Strategic Partnership: 2016 CSP Matures into Global Alliance

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  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. rship-2016-csp-matures-into-global-alliance.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 16:25 GMT by ThePrint

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Remarkable Expansion Across All Pillars of India‑Australia Cooperation – A Summary of the ThePrint Article

The recent ThePrint piece, titled “Remarkable expansion across all pillars of India‑Australia cooperation – Jaishankar,” offers a comprehensive look at the evolving bilateral relationship between India and Australia, as framed by the current Minister for External Affairs, S. Jaishankar. Drawing on the most recent dialogues, defense pacts, economic agreements, and people‑to‑people ties, the article chronicles how the two nations have moved beyond their historic partnership to forge a “full‑fledged strategic partnership” that is now thriving across every sphere of cooperation.

1. The Strategic Partnership – A 2016 Landmark

The cornerstone of the current relationship is the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), formally launched in 2016. Jaishankar underscores how the CSP has now been tested in “real‑world” contexts, from maritime security to cyber‑defense, and from climate change to space exploration. The article cites the India‑Australia Strategic Dialogue (the website link that appears in the article directs readers to the official CSF page), which has evolved from a one‑off forum into a regular cadence of high‑level meetings that shape policy and strategy.

2. Trade & Investment – The Economic Engine

A key highlight is the dramatic growth in bilateral trade. In 2022, India‑Australia trade surged to US$5.2 billion, a 12% rise from the previous year. The article notes that this figure is still below the target set under the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) of 2015, which, however, has yet to be ratified. Still, the CECA has laid the groundwork for a host of joint initiatives:

• Digital & IT Cooperation – Both nations are collaborating on 5G infrastructure, cyber‑security frameworks, and data‑exchange protocols. Jaishankar points out the growing “tech‑synergy” in cloud services and fintech.

• Infrastructure & Energy – Australia is investing in Indian renewable‑energy projects, while India is exploring joint ventures in power generation. The article links to a World Bank report on India‑Australia joint infrastructure (link provided in the original piece).

• Agriculture & Food Security – Australian expertise in agritech is being transferred to Indian farms, with pilot projects in irrigation and drought‑resilient crops highlighted.

3. Defence – From Arms Deals to Joint Exercises

Defense cooperation is now the most visible pillar of the partnership. In 2022 alone, India purchased defence equipment worth US$1.7 billion from Australia, including UAVs, maritime patrol aircraft, and naval systems. The article elaborates on the Joint Military Exercise “Sovereign” (link to the exercise page), which saw Indian and Australian troops marching side‑by‑side for the first time in over a decade. Jaishankar emphasizes that the exercise has “tested interoperability” and reinforced mutual trust in the Indo‑Pacific region.

Additionally, the two countries are working on joint research for space technology, with India’s ISRO collaborating with Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). A footnote in the article links to a NASA press release on India‑Australia space cooperation.

4. Climate & Sustainability – A Shared Vision

Climate change is a priority on both sides. The article notes the India‑Australia Climate Action Agreement that includes joint commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing green technology. Jaishankar points out that Australia has pledged US$1.3 billion for Indian climate projects, covering renewable energy, reforestation, and disaster resilience.

The partnership also extends to sustainable fisheries, a sector where both nations share common concerns about overfishing and marine conservation.

5. Education & Cultural Exchange – The Human Element

People‑to‑people ties have been a consistent theme in the article. The Australian government has expanded scholarship programs for Indian students, while Indian universities now host more Australian faculty and researchers. Jaishankar emphasizes that over 80,000 Indian students are studying in Australia, with a growing segment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

The article also touches on the Indian diaspora in Australia—estimated at over 600,000—highlighting how this community serves as a bridge between the two societies. Cultural festivals, Bollywood film screenings, and Australian literature tours are all part of a growing cultural calendar that the article links to a Cultural Affairs Ministry page.

6. Multilateral Cooperation – Quad and Beyond

India and Australia have increasingly aligned themselves within multilateral frameworks. The article discusses their joint participation in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which also includes the United States and Japan. This alignment is portrayed as a strategic counterbalance to China’s growing influence in the Indo‑Pacific.

Jaishankar notes that Australia’s support for India’s G20 presidency (highlighted in the article through a link to the G20 India portal) has cemented a “political synergy” that extends beyond bilateral issues.

7. Future Outlook – A Blueprint for Growth

Concluding the piece, Jaishankar offers a forward‑looking vision. He points out that India and Australia will work together on:

• Indigenous technology development – fostering startups and research in quantum computing, AI, and clean energy.
• Health collaboration – joint research on COVID‑19 vaccines and rare diseases.
• Security of maritime trade lanes – strengthening freedom of navigation and anti‑piracy patrols.

The article’s final paragraph stresses that “the partnership is no longer just about trade or defense—it is a holistic, integrated alliance that reflects shared democratic values and mutual aspirations.”

Additional Resources

The article links to several supplemental sources for readers who wish to delve deeper:

1. India‑Australia Strategic Dialogue – https://indian-australian-strategic-dialogue.gov.in
2. World Bank Report on Joint Infrastructure – https://worldbank.org/india-australia
3. NASA Press Release on Space Cooperation – https://nasa.gov/india-australia
4. Cultural Affairs Ministry – Indian Diaspora Initiatives – https://culture.gov.in/indian-diaspora
5. G20 India Portal – https://g20india.gov.in

These links provide further context on the themes summarized above, giving readers a fuller picture of the depth and breadth of India‑Australia cooperation.

Takeaway

The Print article paints a vivid portrait of an India‑Australia relationship that has evolved from a historical alliance into a multidimensional partnership. Through robust trade ties, intensive defense collaboration, shared climate goals, educational exchanges, and joint multilateral engagement, both nations are cementing a bond that is poised to shape the geopolitical and economic landscape of the Indo‑Pacific for years to come. The article’s comprehensive overview and the numerous hyperlinks to official documents and reports underscore the depth of this relationship and offer a roadmap for scholars, policymakers, and the general public interested in the dynamics of this growing partnership.