Australia and Indonesia have reached a milestone in their bilateral relations by finalizing a new defense treaty on 2024-08-20. This agreement, which has been under negotiation for two years, is set to significantly enhance military cooperation between the two neighboring nations.
The treaty was concluded during a meeting between Indonesian president-elect Prabowo Subianto, who also serves as the country's defense minister, and Australian officials at the Parliament in Canberra. This visit marks Subianto's first trip to Australia since his election as president in February 2024.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles emphasized the treaty's importance, stating:
"What this agreement will do is provide for much greater interoperability between our defense forces, it will provide for much more exercises between our defense forces, it will see us working together the global commons to support the rules-based order and, importantly, it will allow us to operate from each other's countries."
The pact is scheduled to be signed within days when Marles visits Jakarta, further cementing the deepening ties between the two nations.
This agreement comes at a time of increasing geopolitical tensions in the region, particularly with China. Australia views its relationship with Indonesia as increasingly crucial in this context. It's worth noting that Australia and Indonesia share one of the longest maritime boundaries in the world, making their cooperation vital for regional stability.
The two countries have a long history of diplomatic relations, dating back to 1949 when Australia recognized Indonesia's independence. Since then, they have collaborated on various fronts, including counter-terrorism efforts following the 2002 Bali bombings and disaster relief operations, such as Australia's significant aid to Indonesia after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
While the treaty signifies progress in defense cooperation, some analysts question its strategic value to Australia. Euan Graham, an expert from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, points out that Indonesia maintains a non-aligned stance in global politics, which may not fully align with Australia's threat perceptions regarding China.
Despite these considerations, both nations emphasize the importance of their relationship. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who came to power in 2022, stated:
"There is no more important relationship than the relationship between our two great nations."
It's important to note the significant demographic differences between the two countries. Indonesia, with approximately 275 million people, has a population ten times that of Australia's 27 million. This disparity underscores the potential for increased cooperation and mutual benefits.
As Subianto prepares for his inauguration in October 2024, and Albanese plans to attend, both leaders express optimism about the future of Australia-Indonesia relations. This defense pact represents a new chapter in their partnership, building on existing collaborations such as joint military exercises conducted since the 1990s and the Lombok Treaty signed in 2006 for security cooperation.