Description

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Context:

The 3^rd edition of joint military Exercise AUSTRAHIND commenced at Foreign Training Node, Pune in Maharashtra.

Details

Participants	It is an annual event conducted alternatively in India and Australia.
Frequency	Annual event, conducted alternately in India and Australia.
Last Edition	Conducted in Australia in December 2023.
Aim	To promote military cooperation between India and Australia through enhanced interoperability in joint sub-conventional operations under UN Chapter VII.
Phases of the Exercise	1. Combat Conditioning and Tactical Training Phase. 2. Validation Phase.
Significance	It will enable the two sides to share their best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting tactical operations. The exercise will also facilitate developing bonhomie and camaraderie between soldiers of both the sides.

India-Australia Military Exercises

Exercise Name	Description	Frequency	Participants
AUSINDEX	A naval exercise between India and Australia to enhance interoperability between the two navies.	Biennial	Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy
PITCH BLACK	An air exercise conducted by the Royal Australian Air Force in which India participates to enhance air combat interoperability.	Every two years	Indian Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force
SINGAEX	A joint exercise between India, Singapore, and Australia aimed at enhancing military cooperation in peacekeeping operations and humanitarian efforts.	Periodic	Indian Army, Singapore Army, and Australian Army
SLINEX	A series of joint naval exercises between India and Sri Lanka, with Australian participation in certain years.	Annual	Indian Navy, Sri Lanka Navy, and occasionally the Royal Australian Navy
INDO-PACIFIC ENDEAVOR	An Australian-led multinational exercise that focuses on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and military cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, with India as a key participant.	Annual	Australia, India, and other regional partners

India-Australia Defense Relations

Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP): In 2020, India and Australia upgraded their relationship from "Strategic Partnership" to CSP, which underscores their strategic cooperation.
Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement (MLSA): Signed in 2020, this agreement facilitates logistics cooperation, which enables more complex military engagement and combined responsiveness to regional humanitarian disasters. In June and July 2023, Indian Navy and Air Force aircraft were deployed to Australia's Cocos Keeling Islands, demonstrating this cooperation.
Joint Guidance for the India – Australia Navy to Navy Relationship: Signed in August 2021, this document outlines the relationship between the two navies.
General Rawat India-Australia Young Defence Officers' Exchange Programme: Established as a result of a virtual meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in 2022.
Uranium Import: In 2017, Australia shipped its first supply of uranium to India, which was significant for satisfying India's energy requirements.

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INDIA- AUSTRALIA RELATIONS

Source:

PIB

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.India-Australia defense relations have witnessed significant growth in recent years, with both countries focusing on strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Critically examine the key areas of collaboration between India and Australia in the defense sector. (150 words)