Why in the News?

AUKUS, a trilateral security and defense partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, has entered its fifth year.

About AUKUS

• Genesis: In September 2021 as a three-way strategic defence alliance between Australia, the UK and US.
• Aim: To boost defense capabilities, accelerate technological integration, and expand the industrial capacity of all three nations as part of a collective effort to stabilize the Indo-Pacific region.
• Composed of two pillars: 
  • Pillar 1: To support Australia in acquiring conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs).
    • It will make Australia the seventh nation in the world to operate nuclear-powered submarines, after the US, UK, France, China, India and Russia.
  • Pillar 2: Focuses on expediting cooperation in intelligence sharing and critical technologies, including cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, undersea technologies, etc.

Significance of AUKUS

• Strategic: Strengthening of defense capabilities of Australia and ramping up defense industrial base by 2040 aligns AUKUS with the vision of free and open Indo-Pacific.
• Complements QUAD in Indo-Pacific: Due to India's reluctance to project the QUAD alliance as a security platform against China, AUKUS can fill the gap by emphasizing upon the defense partnerships in Indo-Pacific region. 
• Strategic Competition with China: For technological dominance, particularly in emerging technologies is central to second pillar of AUKUS.
• Alliance of Democracies: AUKUS being projected as the alliance of liberal democracies against autocratic powers strengthens its acceptance and legitimacy as a security group.
  • e.g., Japan has shown interest in joining the pact, especially the second pillar, for cooperation in critical technologies segment.

Concerns related to AUKUS

• Geopolitical: Many South East Asian nations like Indonesia and Malaysia, raised concerns about potential arms races and nuclear proliferation in the Indo-Pacific Region.
  • Australia's abrupt cancellation of a submarine deal with the France in favor of AUKUS, led to strained ties between France and the AUKUS members.
• Weakening of QUAD's Strategic Role: Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), which includes the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia, might see a shift in focus as AUKUS takes center stage.
• Nuclear Proliferation risks: AUKUS enables Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, raising concerns over the potential precedent it sets under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
  • Concerns have been raised that this arrangement could encourage other nations to seek nuclear-powered technology under similar security justifications.

Conclusion

For India, AUKUS presents both challenges and opportunities—necessitating a balanced approach that upholds strategic autonomy, strengthens indigenous defense capabilities, and deepens regional partnerships. By leveraging QUAD, engaging ASEAN, and expanding its naval and technological strengths, India can navigate the evolving security landscape while maintaining stability and influence in the Indo-Pacific.