The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 11th March 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Why in News?

Abhijit Singh heads the Maritime Policy Initiative at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi The week ahead is likely to be crucial for Australia. An announcement about an “optimal pathway” for AUKUS — the security partnership between the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom — is on the horizon, with implications for Australia’s plans to operate a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines within the next decade. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called it “the single biggest leap in defence capability in Australia’s history”.

AUKUS Alliance

• Background:
  • The transfer of sensitive submarine technology by the U.S. to the U.K. is a sui generis arrangement based on their long-standing Mutual Defence Agreement of 1958. 
  • The AUKUS joint statement clearly acknowledges that trilateral defence ties are decades old, and that AUKUS aims to further joint capabilities and interoperability. 
    • The word “further” is key, since defence cooperation already exists. 
    • The other areas covered are cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, apart from undersea capabilities. 
• About: 
  • Based on a shared commitment of its three members to deepening diplomatic, security and defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific to meet the challenges of the 21st century. 
  • Under it, the U.S., U.K will help Australia deploy nuclear-powered submarines in the Pacific region.
• Focus: 
  • On integrating all defence and security related science, supply chains, industrial bases and technology.
  • On protecting shared values and promoting security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

 Significance of AUKUS Alliance 

• Novel Engagements:
  • It will involve a new architecture of engagements across emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cyber capabilities, and additional undersea capabilities.
  • It will help Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) in cooperation with the UK & the US. 
  • It also reaffirms that, after Brexit, the US still wants the UK, and not the EU, engaged as its key military partner. 
• Containing China: 
  • Even though this has not been stated explicitly, AUKUS will contain the rise of China, particularly its rapid militarisation and aggressive behaviour in the Pacific region, especially in and around the South China Sea.
• Shifting US Priorities in Asia:
  • It also gives US focus for its post-Afghanistan tilt to Asia.
• Regional Security in the Indo-Pacific:
  • The AUKUS deal seeks to address core US concerns of regional security, deterrence, and balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. 
• Complementing QUAD:
  • It will enhance Australia’s contribution to its other partnerships, including the QUAD. The Quad and AUKUS are distinct, yet complementary. 

Challenges

• Increasing Rivalry with China
  • AUKUS will challenge China’s naval expansion and could hurt its commercial interests.
  • In such a scenario, their relations with China are going to deteriorate.
• Dissent in ASEAN
  • Any sudden accretion in Australia’s naval capabilities is bound to cause unease in the region. 
  • There is the matter of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) disunity over the emergence of AUKUS. 

Implications on India

• The pact allows India—a key US partner and Quad member—the freedom to set the terms of engagement with its neighbour, without formally participating in a China-containment initiative. 
• AUKUS is a broader coalition of countries in the Indo-Pacific region to deal with China. Any measure that boosts the capability of India's partners is a welcome move.
• However, AUKUS could push China into assuming a more adventurous posture by deploying more warships and submarines in the Eastern Indian Ocean. 
• Thus, any miscalculated move could be detrimental to Indian interests.

Way Ahead

• India needs to display solidarity with its Quad partners, especially at a time when tensions with China are again rising.
• India should focus on close defence cooperation with strategically important nations without resorting to a security alliance.