The recent decision by Australia to cancel the Pitch Black 2020 multilateral air combat training due to the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the ongoing commitment to defence cooperation between India and Australia. Despite the setback, both countries remain committed to mutual collaboration and have confirmed that the next edition of the exercise will take place in 2022.
Pitch Black: A Platform for Multilateral Air Combat Training
Hosted biennially by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Exercise Pitch Black is a three-week event aimed at enhancing combat training and integrating multiple forces. The most recent edition took place in 2018, and its absence in 2020 represents a pause in a long-standing tradition. However, it’s important to note that the fundamental aim of this exercise – increasing the Air Force’s operational efficiency – remains a priority.
Defence Cooperation between India and Australia
India and Australia’s defence cooperation is rooted in several key documents: the Memorandum on Defence Cooperation (2006), the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation (2009), and the Bilateral Framework for Security Cooperation (2014). These agreements set a foundation for a partnership that prioritises maritime cooperation and security in the Indian Ocean. This shared interest has been reinforced through initiatives such as AUSINDEX, an Australia-India naval exercise introduced in 2015. More recently, Australia proposed a trilateral cooperation involving India, Australia, and Indonesia, focused on safety and security in the Indian Ocean region.
Australia Recognises India’s Role in the Indian Ocean
Australia appreciates India’s crucial role in maintaining security, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region. Both nations have coastlines on the Indian Ocean and are mutually invested in ensuring freedom of navigation and trade in this area.
Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement
In September 2014, India and Australia signed a Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, which was enforced a year later, in November 2015. This agreement enables Australian uranium mining companies to supply uranium for civil use in India. Additionally, the deal provides protection for future bilateral trade in other nuclear-related materials or items intended for civil use.
Consular Cooperation through MLAT and Extradition Treaty
India and Australia have also cooperated at a consular level through the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and the Extradition Treaty, both signed in June 2008. Both governments have ratified these treaties, and they have been in force since January 2011. These agreements facilitate legal cooperation between India and Australia, providing another layer of collaboration between the two nations.