Australia says China nervousness, geography driving closer Indonesia ties

Australian defence minister Richard Marles (proper) along with his Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (left) throughout their assembly in Jakarta (Image credit score: AP)

Australian defence minister Richard Marles mentioned Thursday that safety nervousness over China was partly driving deepening ties with Indonesia in a area riven by rivalry between Beijing and Washington.His go to to fulfill counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in Jakarta got here weeks after Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese made Indonesia his first overseas journey following his landslide election win.Marles mentioned the alliance with Indonesia stood by itself phrases, however considerations about China’s navy build-up within the area influenced Australia’s overseas coverage considering.“We’ve made no secret of the fact that we have a security anxiety in relation to China. We’ve made that clear to China itself,” Marles, who additionally serves as deputy prime minister, advised journalists within the Indonesian capital.“It does shape how we think about the strategic landscape that we face.”He mentioned geography was additionally a key a part of closer relations with President Prabowo Subianto’s authorities, with whom they signed a defence pact final 12 months.“You just need to look at the map to understand how strategically important Indonesia is to Australia. Its geography is profoundly important,” he mentioned.“That’s actually what’s driving the increase in the activity between Australia and Indonesia.”Marles and Sjafrie mentioned larger cooperation “in relation to maritime domain awareness”, which might see their militaries share extra details about the waters they share, the Australian minister mentioned.“The relationship between Australia and Indonesia has never been in better shape,” he mentioned.The bilateral defence pact pledged closer cooperation within the contested Asia-Pacific area and included provisions for every navy working within the different nation.Months after the accord was signed, hundreds of Indonesian and Australian troops held joint drills in japanese Java in November.Canberra has drawn ever nearer to longtime ally Washington, bolstering its navy in an try to discourage the may of a rising China. Jakarta has in the meantime walked a extra impartial path, cautious of drawing too near Washington and much much less keen to needle Beijing.