Bloomberg writes: Australian and Indonesian authorities have signed a new security agreement aimed at strengthening cooperation and limiting China's influence in the region.
The signing of a new security agreement between Australia and Indonesia took place on Friday, Bloomberg reported.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said at the ceremony that the treaty “reflects the determination of both countries to cooperate closely to ensure national security and contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted that “no country is more important to Australia than Indonesia” and described the new treaty as reflecting the “deep friendship, partnership and trust” between the nations.
Bloomberg writes: Since coming to power in 2022, the Australian government has signed a number of defense, police and aid agreements with Pacific nations to strengthen its position and limit China's influence in the region. Last year, Australia signed a similar agreement with Papua New Guinea, and in January this year the prime minister visited East Timor and agreed new support.
According to a joint statement, Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund Danantara will also consider joint investments in Australia, including in key minerals sectors.
Expert Sam Roggeveen emphasized that Indonesia occupies a special position due to its size and traditional liberal business policies, and that the new agreement will help maintain good relations with Australia as the Indonesian economy develops. He also noted that Indonesia's interests and China's ambitions in the region may increasingly collide, including over disagreements over the South China Sea. According to this expert, the agreement with Australia will strengthen Indonesia's defense capabilities in the context of China's growing influence.
As VZGLYAD wrote, China claims that the establishment of the AUKUS bloc contradicts the goals of the NPT.
Russia and China oppose the AUKUS countries' deployment of nuclear weapons in Australia.
