India and Australia have committed to elevate the bilateral Strategic Partnership concluded in 2009 to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, CSP. The joint statement on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Australia stated that the CSP is based on mutual understanding, trust, common interests and the shared values of democracy and rule of law.
It reflects India and Australia’s strong commitment to practical global cooperation to address major challenges like COVID-19. It is in line with India’s increasing engagement in the Indo-Pacific region through her Indo-Pacific vision and Australia’s Indo-Pacific approach.
India and Australia also recognise the importance of global cooperation for saving lives and managing the economic impacts of COVID-19, and future global challenges. Both nations will share the benefits of scientific and medical research and development, strengthen healthcare systems to improve capacity for global pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
India and Australia have resolved to boost collaboration on science, technology and research to support their national COVID-19 responses. Both countries have committed to a new phase of the Australia – India Strategic Research Fund to promote innovative solutions for responding to and treating COVID-19.
Both countries jointly decided to work together in the areas of digital economy, cyber security and critical and emerging technologies. They also agreed to boost cooperation in the maritime domain. They agreed to continue to deepen and broaden defence cooperation by enhancing the scope and complexity of their military exercises and engagement activities to develop new ways to address shared security challenges.
Recognising that terrorism remains a threat to peace and stability in the region, both sides strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and stressed that there can be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds whatsoever