India-Australia 2+2 dialogue: Strategic meeting focused on defence, trade and Indo-Pacific stability
It's important to note that India only conducts its 2 plus 2 dialogue with a select few countries - the United States, Russia, Japan, and Australia.
Mark your calendars for an important diplomatic engagement later this month. We’re talking about the upcoming 2 plus 2 meeting, this time with Australia, following a similar dialogue with the United States. Flying in for high-level discussions will be Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong and defence minister Richard Marles. They’ll be sitting across the table from India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar and defence minister Rajnath Singh.
It’s important to note that India only conducts its 2 plus 2 dialogue with a select few countries – the United States, Russia, Japan, and Australia. Australia initiated this bi-annual event with India in 2021, marking a significant milestone in their diplomatic relations.
Australia and India, along with the USA and Japan, make up the ‘Quad’. These countries share participation in Exercise Malabar, the annual naval drills that take place in the Indo-Pacific. The term ‘Indo-Pacific’, often used as a delicate way to speak of China, is expected to be at the center of the upcoming meeting. This comes as no surprise considering the recent surge in Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea and its ever-increasing naval presence in the Indian Ocean. Both countries share a common commitment to a free, open Indo-Pacific, adhering to international law.
On a bilateral level, India and Australia have a lot in common, particularly when it comes to resources. Australia ranks as one of the top lithium reserve holders outside of South America. As we step into the future, lithium is quickly earning the title as the “white gold” of the 21st century, given its essential role in manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles – a crucial advancement in battling climate change. Australia’s uranium deposits are another key resource, crucial for generating fossil-fuel-free electricity. Besides, until green infrastructure becomes readily available, India will rely heavily on Australia’s abundant coking coal reserves.
The meeting’s agenda will undoubtedly cover topics like supply chain mechanisms and closer defense ties, especially between the respective navies of the two countries.
The geopolitical turmoil in our world will not be ignored, with discussions expected on recent conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Gaza conflict involving Israel and Hamas, along with the subsequent disruptions they’ve caused.
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