Australia and Indonesia will sign a new security treaty featuring closer military cooperation and regular consultations on emerging threats
SYDNEY: Australia and Indonesia have agreed to sign a new bilateral security treaty following talks between their leaders.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Prabowo Subianto announced the agreement at a Royal Australian Navy Base in Sydney.
Albanese stated they had “just substantively concluded negotiations on a new bilateral treaty on our common security”.
“This treaty is a recognition from both our nations that the best way to secure… peace and stability is by acting together,” Albanese told reporters.
The Australian leader said he hopes to visit Indonesia next year to formally sign the new treaty.
The agreement builds upon a bilateral defence pact signed in 2024 that pledged closer cooperation in the contested Asia-Pacific region.
That previous pact included provisions for each military operating in the other country.
Thousands of Indonesian and Australian troops conducted joint drills in eastern Java months after the 2024 accord was signed.
The new treaty commits both nations to “consult at a leader and ministerial level, on a regular basis on matters of security”.
It will facilitate “mutually beneficial security activities” and consultation when either country’s security is threatened.
Prabowo said the deal commits both countries to “close cooperation in the defence and security field”.
“We cannot choose our neighbours… especially countries like us,” he stated.
“Good neighbours will help each other in times of difficulties,” Prabowo added.
Australia seeks closer ties with Indonesia amid regional tensions between China and the United States.
The two nations are separated by less than 300 kilometres at their closest point.
In August, Australia participated in joint military drills with Indonesia, the United States and other allies.
Canberra has also pursued closer military ties with other Pacific neighbours to counter Beijing’s rising influence.
Australia agreed to a new defence treaty with Papua New Guinea in September committing to mutual defence against armed attacks and “emerging threats”. – AFP
