Senate debates

Monday, 15 June 2020

Questions without Notice

Defence Cooperation: India

2:54 pm

Photo of Linda ReynoldsLinda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

India and Australia are not only strong economic partners; we are also natural security partners, particularly in the Indian Ocean. As a West Australian, I am particularly cognisant of this. Our shared security challenges in the Indian Ocean include maritime threats, terrorism and natural disaster response. All of these have significant implications for the economic prosperity of both our nations. It is in Australia's national interest to work with India to address these challenges—bilaterally, trilaterally and also multilaterally through international forums such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association. There has never been a more important time for Australia to work with India and other like-minded nations to shape a prosperous, open and stable post-COVID Indo-Pacific.

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