Deccan Herald

India, Australia to Expand Cooperation on Cybersecurity and Digital Innovation

According to a joint statement issued by Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Australian counterpart Marise Payne in Australia, after the the first meeting of the India-Australia Joint Working Group (JWG) on cyber security cooperation, the two countries recognized cooperation in the areas of cyber security, cyber governance, innovation, capacity building, digital economy, and cyber and critical technologies as an essential pillar of the India-Australia relationship.

Both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to an open, peaceful, secure, accessible, and interoperable cyberspace and technologies that adhere to international law. 

Both countries have condemned attempts to use cyber-enabled technologies to undermine international peace and stability and have committed to working cooperatively to strengthen cooperation in various multilateral fora, including the United Nations, in developing international standards.

Both ministers reiterated the importance of diversity, gender equality, and women’s empowerment in designing, developing, and using cyberspace and technologies. 

They also reiterated their commitment to secure, resilient, and trusted technology and agreed to work together to address the significant threat of malicious cyber activity by state and non-state actors. They emphasized the integral role of cyber and cyber-enabled critical technologies in fostering sustainable development and inclusive economic growth.

The two countries agreed to undertake joint engagement with Indo-Pacific partners to improve the region’s cyber capabilities to promote a resilient and trusted cyberspace and effective incident response.

The two countries acknowledged the importance of the security and resilience of telecommunications networks and the need to work together to protect next-generation telecommunications networks. They also recognized the importance of diverse and trusted technology supply chains, including trusted sources and products.

The Indian Minister welcomed the Australian Government‘s intention to open a Consulate-General in Bengaluru.

Both ministers welcomed the elevation of the bilateral cyber cooperation through the Australia-India Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber-Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, agreed in June 2020.

The next India-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Cyber Framework Dialogue will occur in 2023.

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